Explores the now popular assumption that delinquency is primarily caused by child abuse and neglect. Notes that existing studies are inconclusive or provide weak connections at best. In light of public concern over juvenile crime, calls for more funding to explore strategies to prevent and control serious juvenile crimes, especially violence. (TJQ)

Presents an assessment of the Neutral Zone, a community-based gang prevention and intervention program developed in Washington State. The Neutral Zone offers at-risk or gang-affiliated youths a viable alternative for productively spending their time. Evaluation based on direct observation, focus group interviews, and official crime statistics…

Predicts violent offending at adolescence is part of a general pattern of high-rate antisocial behavior that emerges in childhood. Also predicts multiple arrestees with no arrests for violence would self-report as much violence as multiple arrestees with arrests for violence. Findings generally support the contention that violent offenders show…

Reports of increased violence and crime in the schools suggest that an attack on the roots of violence must accompany work to improve discipline and physical security. Suggestions for schools to actively respond to the problem are offered in this digest. Reasons for the increase of violence and for most schools' reluctance to address the problem…

Notes that the increasing number of violent crimes committed by children is a result of play deprivation. Discusses different forms of play and distinguishes between controlled and free play. Examines factors such as inadequate outdoor spaces, organized sports, and hi-tech entertainment which interfere with spontaneous play. Discusses the concept…

Cyclic fluctuations in juvenile justice policy and their relationship to policy, practice, and youth crime are examined. This analysis suggests that overall crime rates are independent of prevailing juvenile justice policies. These findings support targeted prevention efforts including policy reforms, public education efforts, and social practice…

One Oregon community applies a set of community justice principles and philosophies that have produced tangible and successful programs to build community, reduce risk, and repair harm. Describes some of the county's community justice history and programs, including revamped victim assistance programs, victim-offender mediation, and a community…

Perceptions of incarcerated American Indian youth were examined to give voice to their school experiences prior to adjudication. The purpose of the study was to examine what schools can do to help young American Indian students to avoid involvement in crime. Participants from fourteen states (N = 136) provided information related to their overall…

Panel data were analyzed to determine whether funding for collaborative juvenile crime prevention programs reduced arrests in California counties. Because the data were a population (i.e., all 58 counties in the state), regression results were summarized descriptively, and special attention was given to the direction and magnitude of key…

In New Zealand, selected sworn police officers called youth aid officers participate in discussions and deliberations concerning the actions required to restore the sense of community balance upset by the actions of juvenile offenders. The author explores a representative sample of all sworn police officers serving in the New Zealand Police,…

During the past several years, national attention has focused increasingly on the many problems facing youth. The Federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974 was passed to address this growing problem. The Act stipulates that every Federal agency that administers a juvenile delinquency program must produce a juvenile…

This report, an examination of the administration of the federal Juvenile Justice Act from 1974 to the present, outlines the findings and recommendations of the National Advisory Committee for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Following a statement of the proposed new direction in delinquency prevention, which focuses on the serious,…

Describes how the Young Offenders Act works and where it differs from the Juvenile Deliquents Act. Provides the counselor with a guide to the new Act's approach to the young offender. (Author/ABB)

This report is designed to help community-based organizations, youth-serving agencies, and the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems recognize their common stake in supporting healthy and positive youth development, both to revitalize their neighborhoods and to control crime. It focuses on: "The Basics: Youth, Crime and Community…

Examined whether the Abecedarian Project affected young adult crime. Found no effects of program on crime. Comparison with other early-intervention programs suggests that reducing boys' delinquency is possible without improving school performance, improving school performance does not guarantee youth crime reductions, and working with parents on…