Provide for periodic review and revision of policies for the treatment of juvenile
offenders, in consultation with social agencies, medical personnel, the judiciary and
community representatives.
Establish expedited procedures for bringing detained juveniles before a court, where
judicial action is appropriate.
Establish close liaison and cooperation with juvenile justice, child protection, medical
and social agencies.
Develop strategies for regular attention to children in especially vulnerable circumstances such as extreme poverty, homelessness, abusive households or high crime
areas.
If possible, establish a special juvenile unit for expert attention to juvenile crime and
juvenile victimization incidents.
Issue clear orders on the confidential handling of juvenile records.
Closely supervise staff responsible for dealing with juveniles, and investigate and
redress any incidents of abuse, mistreatment or exploitation of children.
Questions
01. “Labelling a young person ‘delinquent’ or ‘criminal’ often contributes to the
development of a consistent pattern of anti-social and undesirable behaviour by
that person.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your response.
02. How does the criminal justice system in which you work ensure that reactions to
juvenile offenders are always proportionate to the circumstances of the offenders and the offence? Suggest improvements that can be made to ensure greater
proportionality.
03. Three important rights or procedural safeguards for juveniles suspected of crime
are the right to remain silent; the right to legal counsel; and the right to the presence of a parent or guardian at all stages of the proceedings. How does the criminal justice system in which you work guarantee these rights? What limitations
does it place on them? Suggest improvements to the system to ensure the guarantees.
04. In some jurisdictions police are involved in programmes for rehabilitation of
juvenile offenders within the community. What are the advantages and disadvantages of police becoming involved in such programmes?
05. Consider ways in which the law enforcement agency in which you work could
contribute to a research programme on the causes and prevention of juvenile
crime. What information could it provide? What expertise is available within the
agency? Would your agency cooperate with such research carried out by a university in your country?
06. What are the various ways in which the criminal justice system in which you
work avoids criminal prosecution of a juvenile for conduct that does not seriously harm the juvenile or others? What other ways are there?
07. “Youthful behaviour or conduct that does not conform to overall social norms
and values is often part of the maturation and growth process and tends to disappear spontaneously in most individuals with the transition to adulthood.” Do
you agree? If the statement is largely true, what are the implications for police
policy and practice?
08. The “Riyadh Guidelines” stipulate that government agencies should take special
responsibility and provide necessary services for homeless or street children.
The Guidelines further require information about local facilities, accommodation, employment and other forms and sources of help to be made readily avail134
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents