A former client of the juvenile justice system argues that neither punitive attack nor passive inaction will cause delinquency to go away. Research suggests the use of early delinquency as an opportunity to alter the trajectory of a life headed toward crime. Rather than focusing on recidivism, researchers should focus on successful rehabilitation.…

Examined surveys, court records, and anecdotal information of former adjudicated delinquents (n=273) to determine effects of juvenile justice intervention on outcome; specifically, whether delinquent labeling initiated a self-fulfilling prophecy. Found no significant relationship between juvenile probation experience rating and adult recidivism.…

Offers a positive perspective on the devolution of delinquency. Examines life experiences involved in delinquency devolution of one former juvenile offender and argues for a less pathological perspective of human behavior. Presents an alternative approach, "Positive Outcomes Research." (Author/JAC)

Narrates the experiences of a youth in correctional school and mental health treatment programs so as to show the pivotal role education plays in reversing antisocial behavior. Focuses on predisposing factors for problems, the major impact of correctional education influences, and the challenges surrounding public school reentry. (RJM)