Deck 14: Juvenile Justice: Trends, Policies, and Challenges

Question 1

About how many youths are held in state correctional placements on any given day?

A) 5,000
B) 40,000
C) 400,000
D) 1 million

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Most youth correctional facilities in the United States are operated by:

A) local governments
B) state governments
C) regional authorities
D) the federal government

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Georgia, Texas, and Wisconsin consider individuals adults at ______ years of age.

A) 14
B) 17
C) 18
D) 21

Answer 3

B

Question 4

From 1997 to 2017 the number of youths incarcerated in this country:

A) increased about 10%
B) increased 50%
C) decreased 1%
D) decreased about 60%

Question 5

The first U.S. juvenile facilities were established in the 1830s. They were known as:

A) youth hostels
B) reform schools
C) houses of refuge
D) penitentiaries

Question 6

Acts that are illegal for juveniles, but not for adults (like truancy) are classified:

A) status offenses
B) delinquent offenses
C) petty misdemeanors
D) infractions

Question 7

In 1985 more than half of the juveniles transferred to adult courts were:

A) drug offenders
B) persistent property offenders
C) auto thieves
D) public order offenders

Question 8

The federal government became involved in juvenile justice policy through passage of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act in:

A) 1989
B) 1974
C) 1963
D) 1945

Question 9

The fact that as youngsters get older they are less likely to commit crimes is known as:

A) the age of innocence
B) psychological maturity
C) aging out
D) behavioral modification

Question 10

In 2017 the percentage of white youngsters in juvenile correctional populations was:

A) 34.7%
B) 49.9%
C) 51%
D) 75.6%

Question 11

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention reports that ______ states have no minimum age of juvenile court jurisdiction.

A) 16
B) 25
C) 34
D) 50

Question 12

In 2016 about how many juveniles were transferred to adult courts for trial?

A) 500
B) 3,500
C) 6,700
D) over 10,000

Question 13

Which of the following is not considered a community-based disposition for juvenile offenders?

A) group homes
B) detention centers
C) probation
D) ranch or wilderness programs

Question 14

Compared to adult correctional placements, juvenile correctional placements are:

A) more expensive to operate
B) less expensive to operate
C) about as expensive to operate
D) none of the above

Question 15

In the United States there are about 40,000 community-based residential facilities for treating troubled youths.

Question 16

All states define the minimum age of adulthood as 18.

Question 17

During the early period of American history youthful offenders were often treated like their adult counterparts.

Question 18

The first house of refuge was established in Boston.

Question 19

Most early juvenile correctional facilities housed youngsters of all races.

Question 20

Scientists believe that brain development influencing maturity continues into a person's early-20s.

Question 21

Arrests for all juvenile crimes peaked in 1996 and have declined since then.

Question 22

One of the ongoing challenges for the juvenile justice system is disproportionate minority contact.

Question 23

Nearly 80% of the youngsters admitted to juvenile detention facilities are charged with technical violations of their probation.

Question 24

All states prohibit the practice of housing juveniles in adult jails.

Question 25

How should we respond to youthful offenders when they have committed serious (felony) crimes? Should their youthfulness be a factor we consider?

Question 26

Define, describe, and explain the houses of refuge. What were they created to do? What might have made them successful or unsuccessful?

Question 27

Since the 1990s what has been the trend in juvenile arrests and the number of youngsters incarcerated? What factors may be influencing this trend?

Question 28

Some observers have suggested that juvenile court jurisdiction should extend to the age of 20. What are the justifications for such a policy?

Question 29

What are the justifications for trying juveniles as adults? Should youths convicted in adult courts be sentenced to adult prisons? Why or why not?