Assignment:
Taylor, R. W. & Fritsch, E. J.. Juvenile Justice: Policies, Programs, and Practices, 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill Education
Part 1
1. Visit the web site for the International Institute for Restorative Practices, Restorative Works [removed] Magazine and review any past article in the Restorative Works Magazine. (You cannot select an article related to a conference.) You are looking for actual practical applications of the theory of restorative justice. Answer the following questions in a two paragraph posting:
- How does restorative justice appear to work in this case?
- What are the benefits of using restorative justice instead of sanctions?
- What are possible or apparent drawbacks?
Part 2
Locate and read a non-fiction story about a juvenile's addiction to drug use. One classic is the 1960s book Go Ask Alice, which is the diary of a teenage girl who fights addiction. There are also numerous celebrities who were addicted to drugs when they were juveniles. There are a large number of these non-fiction stories that are equally interesting. You may also use a long magazine article. However, it MUST focus on a particular person with an addiction problem, not on drug use in general.
When you have completed your reading, answer the following questions:
- Why did this juvenile become addicted to drugs? Did he or she ever seem to be in control of the drug use?
- What personality traits may have contributed to the addiction? What social factors? What other factors? How does this story end, and why?
- What could have prevented this drug addiction from ever occurring?
Include the URL or other resource that you used, and be sure to identify the individual.
Part 3
Gary is a seven-year-old child who has been taken into custody for the murder of two schoolmates with the handgun of his mother's boyfriend. Gary has been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and his mother is currently a heavy drinker and drug user. The police have been to Gary's apartment several times because Gary's mother's boyfriend is frequently violent toward both of them, and Gary was once removed for over a month to live with his grandmother. Since kindergarten, Gary has shown slow progress and poor social skills. He never does homework, frequently fights with other children, and is known to be a bully. He is old enough to be adjudicated delinquent according to the laws of his state.
2. Read the postings of your classmates. Respond to one of your classmates' postings. Do you agree? Disagree? Why?
- What factors of Gary's behavior seem to be caused by parental abuse or neglect? Name all that seem to apply.
- Should Gary be punished or treated for his apparent social and psychological problems? What would be an appropriate disposition for Gary?
- Should his parents be punished for their role in creating his behavior problems? Why or why not? If you answered yes, to what extent?