Criminal Justice Information Services Division

Introduction

According to Criminal Justice Information Services Division (2013), while criminal justice is intended to punish perpetrators of crime, it should also attempt to positively impact the perpetrators’ life so that they do not repeat the crimes. According to data gathered from the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice, the number of juveniles released each year has been decreasing since 2003. Nonetheless, recidivism rates have increasingly increased. My interest in this topic arises from the fact that male teenagers are twice as likely as female adolescents to commit a crime again after release. I believe the findings from my research will go a long way in reducing male recidivism rates in Georgia. This is because I think the current criminal justice system does not address the needs of these juvenile offenders. The rates can be brought down if appropriate measures are taken. Therefore, reducing male recidivism rates is possible.

Juvenile Crime Categories in Georgia

Crimes that are mostly committed by juveniles in Georgia fall into three categories: misdemeanor, felony, and status. Status crimes are the petty crimes. A third of the male juveniles commit crimes related to a felony, half commit offenses related to a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is a crime that has higher recidivism rates among the male adolescents in Georgia.

Key Points for Discussion in the Paper

Five points I plan to explore in my paper are:

a) Statistical changes in male adolescent recidivism rates.

b) Analysis and explanation of the statistical data obtained.

c) Analysis of measures taken by the Georgia criminal justice system, e.g., police, courts, schools et al.

d) Analysis of the multisystemic therapy for emerging adults and how it has been able to reduce recidivism rates.

e) Recommendations and suggestions to the Georgia criminal justice system.

Approach and Methodology

I plan to base my paper on the five considerations I have given. As a social scientist, I rely heavily on statistical data and analysis before I can make any suggestions. This explains the statistical analysis of the data obtained. Secondly, I will consider the multisystematic therapy for emerging adults (MST-EA) case study as it has been shown to reduce the reoffending rates among young adults. Lastly, I will propose suggestions based on my understanding and interpretation of the subject matter of how the problem can be mitigated.

References

Center of Juvenile Justice Reform. (2010). An innovative approach to evidence-based practice in juvenile justice: A symposium. Retrieved from http://cjjr.georgetown.edu/events/an-innovative-approach-to-evidence-based-practice-in-juvenile-justice-a-symposium/.

Criminal Justice Information Services Division. (2013). Crime in the United States 2013. Retrieved from https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/tables/table-41.

Lipsey, M.W., Howell, J.C., Kelly, M.R., Chapman, G., Carver, D. (2010). Improving the effectiveness of juvenile justice programs: Retrieved from https://cjjr.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/ebppaper.pdf.

U.S. Department of Justice. (2006). Juvenile offenders and victims: 2006 National report. Retrieved from https://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/nr2006/downloads/NR2006.pdf.