Papers to note: US report critical of harsh juvenile justice laws

03/12/2007

The US Center for Disease Control has released a report on recidivism among juvenile offenders tried in the adult criminal justice system. A number of legislatures in the United States passed laws to try violent young offenders as adults and impose longer sentences. This report, Effects on Violence of Laws and Policies Facilitating the Transfer of Youth from the Juvenile to the Adult Justice System, shows that the trend has backfired.

"You couldn't ask for any worse results," said one academic, in response to the report. "We're getting faster recidivism for more serious crimes."

View the report by the Centers for Disease Control>

3 December 2007