Learning Resources

Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week's assignments.

Readings

· Course Text: Juvenile Delinquency

· Chapter 6, "Social Interactionist Theories of Delinquency"

· Chapter 11, "Drugs and Delinquency"

· Chapter 12, "Juvenile Justice Process" (Section "Diverstion from the Juvenile Justice System" is review from Week 4.)

· Chapter 13, "Police and the Juvenile"

· "Social Content of Delinquency: The Police and the Prevention of Juvenile Offenses"

Media

· Interactive Module: "Juvenile Delinquency," Copyright (2008) by Pearson Learning Solutions. Used with permission of Pearson Education. Boston, MA.

http://media.pearsoncmg.com/pcp/pls/pls_mycoursetools/fufillment/mct_94735_laureate/juv_delinq/index.html

Optional Resources

Websites

· Website: National Institute on Drug Abuse. Club Drugs.

http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/club-drugs

This Web site provides research data on how the use of club drugs can cause serious health problems and, in some cases, even death.

· Website: Underage Drinking Enforcement Training Center.

http://www.udetc.org/

This Web site provides references and links to studies that explain contributing factors related to juvenile delinquency and treatment.

Application: Treatment Programs

· Treating juvenile offenders is necessary to effectively reduce recidivism and, therefore, decrease the proliferation of juvenile delinquency. However, there is a significant debate among professionals about which treatment modalities and programs work best. This is due in part to the degree to which professionals believe that specific sociological, biological, and/or psychological factors contribute to juvenile crime and delinquency. Treatment is further complicated by the diversity of juvenile offenders and the crimes that they commit.

· There are a number of treatment modalities and programs used to treat juvenile offenders, many of which are provided to juvenile offenders in diversion, community corrections, and incarceration programs. Some treatment modalities and programs appear to be more effective than others based on completion and recidivism rates. Other modalities and programs may work only for some populations of juveniles and not others. As you complete this assignment, you explore specific treatment programs and consider their effectiveness for treating juveniles.

To prepare for this assignment:

· Review Chapter 12 in the course text, Juvenile Delinquency, and pay particular attention to frequently used treatment modalities and treatment programs.

· Review Chapter 12 in the course text, Juvenile Delinquency, and consider treatment strategies and programs for juveniles who abuse drugs.

· Review the "What Works" and "Treatment Strategies" segments in the Interactive Module, "Juvenile Delinquency." Pay attention to the effective treatment strategies based on the "What Works" system.

· Select two treatment programs. Note: You may select programs from the Learning Resources this week or you may use the Internet to find other programs of interest to you.

· Think of how the programs you selected are influenced by sociological, biological, and/or psychological factors thought to contribute to juvenile crime and delinquency.

· Think of the type of juvenile populations that might be best served by the programs you selected and consider why.

· Based on the readings this week and/or any information offered about completion and recidivism rates for the programs you selected, reflect on which modalities and/or programs are most effective for treating juveniles.

The assignment (1-2 pages):

· Briefly describe the treatment programs you selected.

· Explain how each program is influenced by sociological, biological, and/or psychological factors thought to contribute to juvenile crime and delinquency. Be specific and use examples to support your explanation.

· Explain what type of juvenile population might be best served by the treatment programs you selected and why. Be specific.

· Provide your thoughts about which treatment modalities and/or programs are most effective based on the readings this week and/or information offered about completion and recidivism rates for the programs you selected.

Support your Application Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. You are asked to provide a reference list only for those resources not included in the Learning Resources for this course.