Maggie K

Unit VII: International Juvenile Justice Systems in Comparison to the United States Introduction In this unit, you will learn and analyze the importance of understanding how other countries from around the world face the challenges of juvenile delinquency, prevention, and trends. (Greyerbaby, 2014) Introduction • Each country has particular challenges when attempting to deter and prevent juvenile delinquency. • In this unit, we will discuss common international trends facing many countries. • You will also become familiar with the differences and similarities of key juvenile justice systems. The Beijing Rules • Let’s being this unit by examining the Beijing Rules. • By examining these rules, you will have an example and a broader knowledge and/or understanding on how juveniles are treated in comparison to the United States. (Peggy_Marco, 2006) The Beijing Rules • It is important to note throughout world history that not every country perceived the humane treatment of prisoners as an important element of their juvenile justice system. • The definition of what is considered humane treatment is often left up solely to the government of each country. • However, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, or the Beijing Rules , offer some oversight and world standard to the humane treatment of juveniles. The Beijing Rules The Beijing Rules Member States shall seek, in conformity with their respective general interests, to further the well -being of the juvenile and her or his family (1.1). Member States shall endeavor to develop conditions that will ensure for the juvenile a meaningful life in the community, which, during that period in life when she or he is most susceptible to deviant behavior, will foster a process of personal development and education that is as free from crime and delinquency as possible. (1.2) Sufficient attention shall be given to positive measures that involve the full mobilization of all possible resources, including the family, volunteers and other community groups, as well as schools and other community institutions, for the purpose of promoting the well -being of the juvenile, with a view to reducing the need for intervention under the law, and of effectively, fairly and humanely dealing with the juvenile in conflict with the law. (1.3) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2006) The Beijing Rules The Beijing Rules (continued ) Juvenile justice shall be conceived as an integral part of the national development process of each country, within a comprehensive framework of social justice for all juveniles, thus, at the same time, contributing to the protection of the young and the maintenance of a peaceful order in society. (1.4) These Rules shall be implemented in the context of economic, social and cultural conditions prevailing in each Member State(1.5). Juvenile justice services shall be systematically developed and coordinated with a view to improving and sustaining the competence of personnel involved in the services, including their methods, approaches and attitudes (1.6). (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2006) International Juvenile Delinquency • Now, after reviewing the basic human standards for treatment of juvenile delinquents, you will break down international juvenile delinquency by sections of the world . • This will help you create a picture of how different regions of the world experience juvenile delinquency and the trends associated with each region. (maps -for -free, 2013) International Juvenile Delinquency Learn more by accessing the following article. Bochenek , M. G . (2016, January 8 ). Children behind bars. World Policy . Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/01/08/c hildren -behind -bars (johnhain , 2016) European Region • First, let’s examine the European region of the world. • Europe has seen an increase in teen violence, and one of the most startling issues facing Europe at the present moment is the international sex trade of children and adolescents. • Trafficking for sexual exploitation is more common in Europe, and 27% of all victims detected globally are children (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2012). • The international sex trade of youth and adolescents is rising at an alarming rate. European Region Learn more about juvenile justice in Germany. In order to access the resource below, you must first log into the myCSU Student Portal and access the Academic OneFile database within the CSU Online Library.

How a trip to Germany opened a governor’s eyes on juvenile justice. ( 2015, November 10). States News Service . (Alexas_Fotos , 2016) United Kingdom • The juvenile justice system in England and Wales is somewhat similar to the system in the United States. • A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached his or her 18 th birthday (Blakeman, 2008). • A youth court is responsible for the cases involving children.

These are less y of formal than adult courts and are private, not allowing public access. • However, a juvenile may be transferred to adult court and tried as an adult. United Kingdom • Children may be held in a variety of facilities:

• secure children’s home, • secure training centre , or • young offender institution (Ministry of Justice, 2012). • Those under 15 years of age will be placed in a secure children’s home. • Those over 15 will be placed in either a secure training centre or a young offender institution. United Kingdom • In Northern Ireland, the Youth Justice Agency (YJA) was launched in 2003. • Its goal is to make communities safer by providing resources so that children stop offending. • The YJA works with youths from the ages of 10 to 17 (Department of Justice, n.d.). • They provide many services and partner with others to offer services in order to “help children to address their offending behaviour , divert them from crime, assist their integration into the community, and to meet the needs of victims of crime” (Department of Justice, n.d. , para. 4). The Americas • As you look into the juvenile justice issues in the Americas, you will notice a trend as it relates to the rise of teen violence also. • Could the rise of teen violence be a global trend? • What would be the cause of this particular trend? • How do the media (both mainstream and social) influence the rise of teen violence around the world? The Americas • It should be no surprise to learn that in Mexico, violent crime is considered one of the biggest problems, if not the biggest criminal problem, associated with criminal activity. • Because Mexico has such a high violent crime rate associated with drug cartels, it should also not surprise you that these violent trends filter down into the juvenile population. The Americas • Drug cartels often use gangs to distribute drugs and contraband . • Mexican gangs, as in the United States, are mostly comprised of teenagers and even younger children. • Children and teenagers are impressionable at this age in life, and social surroundings can often dictate future criminal behavior. The Americas • In Brazil, youth crime has increased in the past 10 years. • Specifically, murder has increased 138% (Garcia -Navarro, 2013a). • Some attribute the increase in youth crime to the economic boom. In the past few years, prices on everything have skyrocketed. A pizza may cost $30 -$40 (Garcia -Navarro, 2013b). Asia - Pacific Region • Similar to the United States, the Asia -Pacific countries have displayed growing concern for juvenile offenders, juvenile victims, and juveniles who witness crime. • Unfortunately, although reform initiatives have begun, the lack of protection for juvenile rights still exists. Alexas_Fotos . (2016, January). German flag [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/flag - germany -flag -europe -german -1132796/ Blakeman , I. (2008). The youth justice system of England and Wales. Retrieved from http://www.unafei.or.jp/english/pdf/RS_No78/No78_13VE_Blakeman.pdf Department of Justice. ( n.d. ). About the Youth Justice Agency. Retrieved https:// www.dojni.gov.uk/articles/about -youth -justice -agency Garcia -Navarro , L. ( 2013a). As youth crime spikes, Brazil struggles for answers. Retrieved from http:// www.npr.org/2013/04/30/180067497/as -youth -crime -spikes -brazil -struggles -for - answers Garcia -Navarro , L. ( 2013b). In the wake of Brazil’s boom, prices to match. Retrieved from http:// www.npr.org/2013/04/12/176956307/in -the -wake -of -brazils -boom -prices -to -match Greyerbaby. (2014). Boy looking through fence [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/boy -looking -fence -chain -link -young -529067/ References johnhain . (2016, March). Forsaken -abandoned -lost -alone [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/forsaken -abandoned -lost -alone -1273885/ Maps -for -free . (2013, November 30). Relief map of the world [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/map -map -of -the -world -relief -map -221210/ Ministry of Justice. (2012). Young people (Juvenile Offenders). Retrieved from https:// www.justice.gov.uk/offenders/types -of -offender/juveniles Peggy_Marco. (2006). Roof -China -dragon -forbidden city [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/roof -china -dragon -forbidden -city -1028392 / United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2006). Juvenile justice: United Nations standard minimum rules for the administration of juvenile justice (the Beijing Rules ). Retrieved from https :// www.unodc.org/pdf/compendium/compendium_2006_part_01_02.pdf United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2012). Global report on trafficking in persons . Retrieved from https:// www.unodc.org/documents/data -and - analysis/glotip/Trafficking_in_Persons_2012_web.pdf References