Editorial
PROBATION junior TEAM
Abstract: PROBATION junior is pleased to announce the release of its 5th. As we’ve grown accustomed, we promote and bring forward subjects for discussion researched by young professionals preoccupied with the field of criminal justice. This edition focuses merely on juvenile delinquency issue, presenting three empirical studies on the subject, and two theoretical approaches, one from a social work perspective in the UK, and the other one in regards to the ethology of juvenile delinquency. The other subjects presented here relate to adaptation to prison conditions, and the new probation law adopted in 2013 in Romania.
Key word: editorial
Full article in English:
Social work and the youth justice system: Ensuring social work values
Elaine ARNULL
Abstract: The paper considers the perennial issue of youth crime, which pervades the media and public consciousness in the UK. The incoming Coalition government proposed changes to the Youth Justice System (YJS); but in November 2011 withdrew them leaving the basic structure in place. This approach is predicated on concepts of risk and actuarial justice, and it is an area of social work in England and Wales that is theoretically driven. In addition, the YJS is underpinned by partnership and inter-agency working and social workers work within multi-agency Youth Offending Teams (YOTs). Research highlights that young people within the YJS are often vulnerable with multiple needs and the statutes establish that all YOTs must have a qualified social worker. The paper proposes a method whereby social workers promulgate social work values within actuarial systems. The ideas are relevant to those working with young people and delinquency in a world where notions of acceptable risk appear to diminish and evidence-based practice and actuarial justice are privileged.
Key words: juvenile delinquency, social work
Full article in English:
The ethology of juvenile delinquency. The approach of the main instances of socialization: family, school, and peer group
Elena MANEA
Abstract: The present article approaches the ethology of juvenile delinquency and the prime risk factors that lead to juvenile delinquency. The family, the school, and the peer-group are the leading factors in the development of a juvenile, and an improper management of the relationship between a juvenile and these factors can have adverse consequences in the development of the juvenile. The material presents the main theories in regards to the juvenile delinquency, taking into consideration the factors mentioned above. Also, it is explained how the poverty issue, the rise of disadvantaged families and juveniles, the family violence, the criminal records within a family, a lack of interest for academics, the school absenteeism, the lack of opportunities for social confirmation, the influence of peer-group are few of the reasons that can lead to developing an antisocial behaviour.
Key words: juvenile delinquency, family, peer group
Full article in Romanian:
The factors involved in delinquency. Case study with juveniles between 14-18 from the Probation Service of Sibiu, Romania
Alina Maria SEVERIN
Abstract: This research project is a continuation of my diploma paper dated July, 2012. Included is a survey of 50 individuals between the ages of 14-18, with the Probation Service of Sibiu. The intent of this research was to highlight the family risk factors in the development of delinquent behaviour among young people aged between 14-18, registered at the Probation Service of Sibiu. The study was initiated with the main idea that the family background is very important in the development of a juvenile, this being reflected in the behaviour of young offenders as well. The main conclusion of the study was that families constitute a risk factor rather than a protective one, for these young people. The paper led to the conclusion that the family environment has a greater influence in juvenile behavior, but there are also other factors that influence delinquency. These factors are: the implications of the family environment, school environment, the influence of friends and the way that children choose to spend their leisure time.
Key words: juvenile delinquency, probation, family
Full article in Romanian:
Factors and situations that lead to delinquency behaviours among juveniles. Case study: juveniles from a Reeducation Centre at Târgu Ocna, Romania
Nicoleta FĂGĂTEANU
Abstract: The problem of juvenile delinquency should be a primary concern for any state that wants welfare, quality of life for individuals, and pursuing the implementation of programs and long-term actions. It can also be said, that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. This study includes a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the familial, social, educational environment, and of the institutions, where the child is born and socialized. These constitute social groups, institutions that through their responsibilities, obligations and rights they hold, create a “victim” who later on becomes a delinquent, which harms the society. The latter “victimizes” it self, thus creating a vicious circle cycle from which the only escape is a better cooperation between state institutions, a mutual and correct support. The empirical research was conducted between 29th of February 2012 – 9th of March 2012, at the Reeducation Center in Târgu Ocna. There were applied 42 questionnaires (children aged 14-18 years), five interviews (professional staff), two focus groups (minors) and one analysis of eight juvenile cases.
Key words: juvenile delinquency, reeducation centre
Full article in Romanian:
The peer grup impact in adopting deviant and/or delinquent behaviours by juveniles
Antonia-Luiza ZAVALIC
Abstract: This research aims to conduct a comparative analysis in terms of the peer group influence on deviant/delinquent behaviors among students attending theoretical or technical high schools. As a conceptual framework, this study is based on the social control theory. The sample of this study includes 234 subjects within theoretical or technical high schools, male and female, between 15-17 years, coming from both urban and rural area. The conclusions of the research suggest that: technical high school students are more likely to be exposed to the impact of deviant peer group influences than theoretical high school students, but there is no significant difference between them, regarding the probability to engage in such criminal activity, and there is a strong positive relationship between students resilience to peer pressure and school attachment.
Key words: juvenile delinquency, peer group
Full article in Romanian:
Individual coping strategies used by inmates in prison
Maria Camelia BURICEA
Abstract: This research presents strategies that each inmate uses to cope with difficult situations that may arise in a prison environment is an important topic of discussion. The living conditions in prison are specials and imply important changes in regards to the offenders’ personality. It is therefore necessary to understand the effects of the prison environment on inmates and how to help them choose the pro-social behavior. In this article I aim to highlight the concrete ways in which inmates succeed to adapt to the prison environment and to identify those resources they use in order to accomplish this.
Key words: inmate, prison
Full article in Romanian:
Changing the probation system in Romania through the 252/2013 law
Maria DRANCA
Abstract: Emerging as an alternative to the prison system, the probation system finds itself in a perpetual development. After Romania adopted the new criminal code in 2012, a reboot of the probation system was also needed. Therefore, the present article is analyzing the 252/2013 law, which brought modifications in regard to the organization and functionality of the probation system, adopting improvements related to the structure, but also regarding the attributions and the genuine activity of the probation institution in Romania.
Key word: probation
Full article in Romanian:
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