Juvenile Justice System.

Full Answer Section

Progressive Era (Late 1800s-Early 1900s):

• Child Savers Movement: This era saw the rise of the "child savers" movement, which advocated for removing children from negative home environments and placing them in reform schools or orphanages (Platt, 1977).
• Juvenile Courts: The first juvenile courts were established, separate from adult courts. These courts focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment (Fox, 2016).

Mid-20th Century (1900s-1960s):

• Standardization and Due Process: Efforts were made to standardize juvenile court procedures and provide more due process protections for juveniles (Feld, 1988).
• Rise of Treatment Programs: Greater emphasis was placed on treatment programs within the juvenile justice system, with a focus on addressing underlying causes of delinquency (Clear & Pettit, 2002).

Late 20th Century and Beyond (1970s-Present):

• Juvenile Crime Spike and "Get Tough" Policies: A rise in juvenile crime rates in the 1970s and 1980s led to a shift towards a more punitive approach. Policies like mandatory minimum sentences and transferring more juveniles to adult court gained traction (Butts & Mauer, 2007).
• Renewed Focus on Rehabilitation: More recently, there's been a growing recognition of the importance of rehabilitation and restorative justice practices within the juvenile justice system (Sickmund et al., 2018).

Sample Answer

The juvenile justice system in the United States has undergone significant transformations throughout history. Here's an overview of its key stages:

Early Colonial Era (1600s-1800s):

• Limited System: During this period, there was no formal juvenile justice system. Infractions by young people were handled by parents, churches, or through apprenticeship programs (Guarino & Loughran, 2017).

House of Refuge Era (1820s-1890s):

• Rise of Reform Schools: Growing concerns about youth crime led to the establishment of houses of refuge. These institutions aimed to rehabilitate young offenders through education, religious instruction, and vocational training (Myers, 2018).