Juvenile Justice : International Perspectives, Models and Trends

A comparative analysis of juvenile justice systems, this book features the contributions of international experts. Topics include the history of juvenile justice, the nature and status of delinquency, and how well current legislation complies with the Standard Minimum Rules of the Administration of Juvenile Justice as defined by the UN. The book also discusses age limits for juvenile offenders, legal and social issues, and theoretical considerations. It enables readers to compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of different juvenile justice models and to examine all countries in light of the larger international phenomena of delinquency.

Juvenile justice has been and remains a topical issue at national and international levels. There are various standards and guidelines for administration, but six major models characterize juvenile justice systems worldwide: participatory, welfare, corporatism, modified justice, justice, and crime control. Juvenile Justice: International Perspectives, Models, and Trends presents contributions by authors from different countries in all five continents employing these six models.

The book begins with a comprehensive overview of the topic and the various international standards and guidelines designed to inform juvenile justice practices. This introduction is followed by chapters on individual countries covered independently by resident experts, allowing readers to appreciate a range of comparisons and to critically reflect on the relative merits of the different models. Topics presented in each chapter include:

• The country’s history of juvenile justice
• The nature and status of delinquency
• Current legislation on juvenile justice
• How well the legislation complies with the Standard Minimum Rules of the Administration of Juvenile Justice as defined by the United Nations
• The type of juvenile justice model followed
• Age limits for male and female juvenile offenders
• Legal and social issues confronting juvenile offenders
• Current theoretical biases used to explain and justify response to delinquency
• Future issues, challenges, and/or initiatives

Text boxes supply current and relevant examples to contextualize key issues and themes. Each chapter features discussion questions and helpful web links to facilitate further research. Presented in an unbiased manner, the book is a consolidated yet comprehensive overview of juvenile justice models and practices worldwide. It enables readers to compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of different juvenile justice models/systems and to evaluate all countries in light of the larger international phenomena of delinquency.