The Impact of Public Policy on Juvenile Crime
by The trend of public policy making and the impact it has on juvenile delinquency and the criminal justice system is a interesting topic to be explored. There are many implications and questions, and concerns in addressing this issue. The issue of juvenile delinquency is important in the sense that it directly impacts public policy. It has a direct link to rehabilitation resources available and crime prevention, as well as the process for juveniles when they enter the criminal justice system.
Now the negative side of this is also lack of funding. A great example of funds availability is the reduction of Public Libraries in WV. (Current Resident, Lena Watts) The Libraries are very active in Science programs and other programs which encourage children to stay in school and aspire for educational goals. This also keeps some of them off the street from becoming potential juvenile delinquents.
Now the contrast in polices are evident. One is creating policies that enforce and practice deterrence. The other is prevention and rehabilitation. Their approaches to dealing with juvenile delinquency are greatly different as juvenile offenders enter the court process and the sentencing aspect of juvenile offenders. Their perspectives and strategies shape their public policies.
However there is a common goal in their policies which is to reduce crime on the streets in the community and to protect the public. They also have the same problem with implementation and the costs associated with public policies. There is the common theme of failing budgets and cut backs which can and do affect the successful implementation and continuity of public policies. This does in turn affect crime because whether which public policy is implemented for juvenile delinquents, as crime can go up. If the public policy of getting tough is in effect then the lack of funds can be devastating as it results in over population in detention centers and the impact on the courts due to heavy dockets. Then offenders sometimes get an early release which is not a event these policy holders want. The same impact can and does happen when the prevention and rehabilitation of juvenile policy is effect. If there are not enough safe guards possibly present and the crime rate soars as a lack of funding for their programs which reflect their policy belief system and the capability to implement their public policy. When a program loses its funding then its implementation and goals are affected. Their overall polices are at risk and their objectives may not be fully completed. This can be disastrous for both policy perspectives. The cause and effect of public policy and the impact the problems of juvenile crime are a major impact on the public as a whole. This a issue that gets a great deal of attention and is a part of public policy procedure in the juvenile court system
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