Like the population as a whole, juveniles also face incredibly high rates of recidivism. Unlike the population, recidivism in minors can be combatted in somewhat different perspectives. Determining whether a juvenile will continue their deviant lifestyle as they grow up has a lot to do with family and community issues.
Point Park University lists some ideas of why recidivism is so popular within young teens. A lot of this adds up to the idea that they are easily impressionable so after facing their first charge and entering an institution, they meet like-minded people. If they fall into the wrong crowd, they will make even more deviant friends within the correctional facility and learn new criminal behaviors. They may also be dealing with mental health issues and being away from a support group or therapy opportunities would only worsen this issue. The article mentioned previously, encourages things like family therapy, the addition of supportive role models, and all around a healthy group within a community to help fight this habitual recidivism in juveniles.
A post by the Annie E. Casey Foundation encourages a full reform to the juvenile justice system to tackle this issue before it goes too far. As stated before, they also mention the possible downsides of placing young people into institutions which allows them to meet more deviant-minded children who would only feed their deviancy. Their blog post encourages only using these sorts of institutions as absolute last resorts and instead focusing on getting the children at-home resources like therapy, group meetings, and tackling the issue at its core. The focus of this is to keep children surrounded with positive role models and out of the way of possible trauma sources like a juvenile correctional system.
40% of Children who went to juvenile detention ended up in prison by the time they were 25 years old
The University of Michigan follows along similar guidelines as they believe one of the top things that should be implemented is juvenile surveillance. Their belief is that a combination of close monitorization, a form of discipline implemented into their lifestyles, and a strong group of positive people and counseling would fully flip the issue of recidivism within the younger population. These forms of aid seem to help better with the juvenile group because they are not yet set up for a ‘lifestyle of crime.’ They are still easily influenced and have a chance to change their habits before they appear to be too far in or stuck in their ways.
It is extremely important that we find ways for young people to reverse deviant behaviors before they make choices that could potentially impact their lives forever. Not only will this create a healthier society, but it will also eventually reverse the impact of mass incarceration in the US and combat the issue at its roots.
This is a great post. I agree that we should be looking at different ways to tackle the problem of juvenile delinquency and recidivism. While throwing people into prison or correctional facilities may be easier, but it’s not necessarily more effective– especially for younger people who are still susceptible to being influenced by those around them. I think peer influences can be very impactful. They may create a cycle of delinquent behavior that’s hard to break out of; like you said, this only feeds into the problem of mass incarceration.
The reason for adult recidivism definitely stems from juvenile recidivism. I agree that in order to stop adults from committing crimes and falling into the cycle, we must do something about ensuring our children and minors do not mix in with the wrong crowds.