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Show Juvenile court - -juvenile delinquency , By Erma Jean Lee Does employment have a relationship to juvenile delinquency? "There is no question but that lack of meaningful work, i.e., responsibility, relates directly direct-ly to delinquent behavior. Lack of work per se is not a thing which can be blamed. blam-ed. The parents and chilren who seem to complain most about nothing" for children to do seem to be those with the most weeds and junk about the residence. Federal employment programs designed for youth are often designed for those who will not work, rather than those who will work, but are unable to find employment. The truly disadvantaged disadvan-taged youth can find employment if he is willing to work, and (he) need not commit delinquent acts to support himself." What are the problem-solving approaches? ap-proaches? "Numerous means to deter juvenile delinquency are tried by the juvenile court. The usual approaches for misdemeanor offenses are fines, work assignments and restitution. In many instances, fines and other remedies exceed that used in adult courts. A juvenile convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol can expect to pay a very substantial fine, have his driver's license revoked, be placed on probation which includes regular contactand con-tactand be required to participate in a counseling program. It is hoped that counseling to provide insight will help." Does counseling help? "Counseling as a panacea for juveniles appears to have very limited value. This seems to be due to the fact that so-called counseling, counsel-ing, ("...usually spelled a-d-v-i-c-e," said Tom Freestone, Vernal juvenile supervisor) is practiced at so many levels that youth tend to shed it like water from a duck's back. Many juveniles have been counseled by such a variety of people that they literally turn it off. "The best means of obtaining the desired behavior from a young person by court staff is to work with them on a one-to-one basis. Example, rather than preaching, wherein a reasponsible' model is able to rub off on the child, seems best. "Some of the outdoor activity programs pro-grams have produced good results. A modified survival training program has developed the best understanding and overall rapport needed to establish a really good working relationship. "Tco often, rather grandiose programs pro-grams involving large numbers of staff in therapeutic settings have failed to modify behavior. It needs to be realized ' that in some instances efforts to change behavior are destined for failure. Some, including those of tender age, are probably pro-bably going to be social casualties no matter what anyone does. Such recognition permits in spite of certain risks a concentration of effort toward those individuals demonstrating a better bet-ter potential for change. "Recently there has been a considerable con-siderable amount of publicity given to efforts to scare children into being good. Frequently parents request that their child be given a good scare. ( "Put them in jail overnight," is an example Vera gave.) People tend to have short memories and scare tactics likely are soon forgotten. The practice of detaining detain-ing a child to 'teach him a lesson' quickly quick-ly loses its impact. Once the child has been through the experience, detention can become little more than an inconvenience inconve-nience since it is known that sooner or later release has to be made. "In summary, our juvenile population in the Uintah Basin includes some of the worst and some of the best. "Present resources for effective control con-trol of the out-of-control youth are seriously lacking. Rural areas have to rely largely on state facilities for treatment. treat-ment. Use of the Utah State Hospital in Provo and the Training School in American Fork has been productive in certain cases. Treatment facilities with adequate security do not seem to exist. "At the local level the various agencies agen-cies charged with responsibility for youth do a reasonably good job. A better bet-ter job could be done through increased cooperation between law enforcement, social services, courts and attorneys. "When a child has committed an offense of-fense he should be held responsible for that offense in a way which protects the interests of the public and, at the same time gives consideration to helping the offender become a productive, produc-tive, law-abiding citizen." end, "Practices and Procedures in Juvenile Court," by Tom Freestone, supervisor, Juvenile Court. My interview with Vera Dudley, probation pro-bation officer, was very interesting, however, she did not have the statistics on detention, but can get them at a future time. She did tell me that the juvenile detention cells at the local jail are closed, and Sheriff Stewart said they have been closed for almost four months. Detention needs are filled ""when an officer takes such a juvenile to'" Provo, a three hour drive one way. Perhaps in coming weeks I can obtain iuore uiiormation from Juvenile Court, and the County Commissioners, regarding regar-ding local need for a juvenile deteniton center. Until then, enjoy your week. Be good-or be careful ! (Smile.) "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke. |