Goals of Juvenile Confinement. You must address the issue of treatment versus punishment.

This discussion is designed to help everyone with this debate that shapes juvenile justice in every state. There are many thoughts that cross the spectrum, so this is your opportunity to discuss, with your peers, the benefits and challenges of a variety of juvenile justice, in-residence programs.

There are four primary goals of confinement in the juvenile justice system: retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and incapacitation. Select two contrasting residential treatment programs (e.g., group homes, boot camps, wilderness camps, or secure correctional facilities) discussed in the text and show how they meet one or more of the primary goals of confinement. What characteristics of the juveniles should a judge take into account when assigning a correctional facility or treatment program? What should our measure of success be for these programs?

Considering the goals of confinement and societies' desire to return juveniles to the community as productive members of society, there are several studies that show the majority of youth are arrested or returned to confinement after their release. Does this mean our system is a failure? What does this say about our overall juvenile justice system? How can we change our reentry systems to make them more effective? What are some of the considerations we should make as we develop our city and state programs?

Special Populations - A Challenge to Juvenile Justice.

Populations of juveniles that pose significant problems to the juvenile justices system. Assume you were writing a proposal to a city or state administrator to address one of the special populations identified in our text (e.g., early starters, juvenile gangs, or juvenile sex offenders) and explain why juveniles in the this category must be treated outside the normal juvenile delinquency programs. What are the benefits to this program in addressing the special population? What is the measure of effectiveness for these programs? Why will this program be effective countering the problem addressed?