Treatment for Delinquent and Adult Offenders - Research Paper Example

Theories and Treatment Programs for Delinquent and Adult Offenders al affiliation Analysts argue that the crime rate especially among young adults is on the increase. In order to understand crime in society today, it is suggested that theories and treatment programs are carefully analyzed. This case study will highlight the theories and treatment programs for youthful and delinquent offenders and adult offenders in an attempt to compare and contrast the two populations. Researchers and analysts argue that there are numerous programs and treatments that are used in the handling of delinquents and adult offenders. The treatment programs and theories have a high correlation that provides understanding to criminal and delinquent behaviors. Some treatment programs for delinquents and adult offenders may be used for both populations. Substance abuse treatments are used for both delinquents and adult offenders. According to substance treatments for both sides, the philosophy they work upon is that substance abuse is one of the major reasons why the majority of the youth and delinquents are taking part in organized crime gangs, in turn ending up with extensive criminal records. According to Nelson (2007), adult offenders take part in criminal activities as a result of their being jobless and a need to make a living, therefore, the majority end up stealing while others may have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the crime. Educational programs for individuals who may be addicted to drugs or other substances is highly recommended within the rehabilitation process. Rehabilitation is the ultimate goal of current treatment programs. During probation, the drug addicts undergo rehabilitation programs that enlighten them on the dangers of drug abuse, with a focus on transforming the individuals into responsible and productive human beings within society. At the end of many rehabilitation programs, research shows that many of these individuals turn out to be responsible individuals. Improving an individual’s ego is one treatment program for delinquent offenders. This treatment program works on the belief that if the ego of the youthful or delinquent offender is boosted by increasing self-esteem, then these individuals are able to engage as positive role models in society; they are able to have a new life that conforms to society’s values. Since the direction and focus is to instill behavioral change in the individuals this method is also used toward reforming the adult offenders, as well. The hope is that the offenders may be given an opportunity to advance in life by introducing them to skills that assist them toward becoming useful members within society. Group therapy for both the delinquent and adult offenders is also a recommended treatment program. It is believed that therapeutic intervention provides the offenders with understanding and interventions to diminish their dysfunctional or criminal behavior. In both populations, group therapy has been documented as having profound benefits for the rehabilitative programs that use therapy as a preventive measure. According to Sametz (2004), group therapy is one measure that helps stop crimes in society. Once the delinquent or adult offender participates in therapy, they go through various forms of training that deal with their maladjusted behaviors; secluding the offender from the public is one intervention through therapy. It is during seclusion that the offender meditates on the criminal behavior they have taken part in and are asked to find solutions to their dysfunctional behavior. Therapy tries to eradicate the roots of the crime in the individuals. According to Smith, Sells, Rodman & Reynolds (2006), therapy is the best recommendation to offenders in the community. They prefer this method to other methods like jailing or severe punishments to the offenders. Educational and vocational program is also treatment approach for adult offenders. This type of treatment program works within the framework that if an offender can be educated and taught technical skills that will lead to them earning a decent living then they will be less likely to take part in criminal behavior. This method cannot apply to the youthful or delinquent offenders because most of them are still under the care of their guardians. Subjecting them to working conditions may be regarded as harassment and violation of their rights. Diversion, however, has been used as a way of treatment for delinquent offenders. Diversion does not allow for the incarceration of young offenders as a way of rehabilitating them. On the other hand, adult rehabilitation programs advocate for incarceration of individuals as a mode of punishment for the crimes committed. According to Champion (2008), diversion initiatives are plans initiated to provide an option of handling offenses committed by young people within society. Campaigners of children rights argue that, the situations in the cells are not appropriate and alternative process and procedures must be used when dealing with the youthful or delinquent offender. Subjecting them to hardship conditions in cells appears to be counterproductive to the rehabilitative process. Youthful or delinquent offenders are linked to organizations that aid in changing the criminal behaviors through rehabilitation for a certain amount of time. Adults are subjected to the conditions in the jails, unlike the youthful or delinquent offender. There are many theories that correlate with treatment programs to explain criminal and delinquent behavior. The subculture hypothesis of delinquency works on the belief that introducing a group of individuals in the offenders’ lives who must participate within the role of assisting change for the delinquent or adult offender is a positive step toward change. According to Stuart, Fondacaro, Miller, Brown & Brank (2008) these role models play the part of reformists in the individual’s life for a very long time. The end result ultimately is behavior change for both populations. The Labeling Theory involves the use of labels for the offenders as a way of motivating them towards change. Just like in group therapy where individuals are forced to be in a group whose aim is to change behavior, the labeling theory reinforces this. Offenders may not necessarily be given specific names, but upon seclusion, they are sure of their place in society and what people think of them. On the other hand, Mack, Leiber, Featherstone and Monserud (2007) argue that the Social Control Theory works on the basis the creation of rules and regulations on how people should behave in society. The conventions and regulations may be conveyed to the individuals either in an official and/or informal approach, in an attempt to attain conventionality in society. The social control theory openly discourages deviant behaviors that render the community an unsafe place to live. This theory may be used within treatment programs for both populations of offenders with an emphasis on one’s ego, education on substance abuse and group therapy; again the common goal being behavioral change. The Conflict and Marxist Theory place emphasis on treatment programs for delinquency, educational and vocational-technical programs, affective social skills training, improving one’s ego to resist the influence of peers, and group therapy where the strong or powerful members in society exert pressure on the less influential. Case in point, the powerful includes the people rehabilitating the individuals for behavioral change; the less influential include the offenders who have to undergo behavioral change. Reality Theory, on the other hand, exposes the delinquents and adult offenders with a glimpse of reality and the change required of them by society (Vold, Bernard & Snipes 2002). Analysts argue that it is only when the offenders are able to make sense of social realities that they will be in a better position to recognize and create meaning for their lives, as well as, find the willingness to develop appropriate measures to deal with their criminal behavior. Once the offenders identify symbolic meanings, they are in a position to create a better life for themselves and can participate within their communities as functional and positive members. The Anomie Hypothesis believes that if the offenders are barred from certain privileges in life, they are likely to struggle; through these struggles they must examine what went wrong in their lives. Many of the theories and treatment programs work on the basis of depriving offenders of some privileges for the purposes of behavioral change. Sutherland proposes the Differential Association theory when discussion delinquents and adult offenders. This theory argues that criminal activities result from individuals engaging in behaviors they have learned or seen from their peers. This theory is a learning theory that lends thought to one’s acquaintances and the important lessons they acquire from them. The theory mostly relates to the treatment program of improving one’s ego strength to resist the influence of negative behavior within one’s peer group. If the youths are able to make better decisions in life, most of them are likely not to engage in criminal activities. The Social Learning Theory proposes that unlawful and conforming behaviors may be obtained, retained or altered through the processes of interaction with other members of society. This theory, therefore, supports the philosophy of treatment programs, which advocate for behavior change through the use of reinforcements while the psychoanalytic Theory works on the premises that criminal activities are generated in the minds of individuals. The proponents of the theory argue that the human mind can be conditioned in such a way that it can detect between good and bad behaviors. This theory relates to treatment programs, in that, both advocate for conditioning the offenders’ minds towards change in the society. The Cognitive Development theory argues that criminal behavior is the result of individuals having no ability to make reasonable decisions in their lives in times of problematic circumstances. As a result, the majority of these individuals end up taking part in activities that pertain to crime. Improving one’s ego strength to resist the influence of peers may be a method of treatment for behavior change. Champion (2008) undertakes a case study of the constituents of the criminal and juvenile system of the United States in an attempt to understand the goals and objectives of probation and parole for criminals. From the study, Champion concludes that all the departments of the US juvenile system work in tandem to instill behavioral change in the individuals convicted of various crimes. To prove his findings, Champion researches the record of the juvenile system in the US and finds that offenders are categorized on the basis of crimes committed. From the categorization of individuals, the juvenile system provides rehabilitation programs for these criminals. The parole and probation programs have specific regulations and a clear understanding of their operations within the juvenile system. Champion (2008) highlights the various challenges the officers in the system experience especially with regard to the selection of the best treatment programs for the youthful and delinquent offenders. From his case study, the system may be described as a successful one in the community in terms of behavioral change within the US. The juvenile system in the US utilizes treatment programs when dealing with offenders. As opposed to other systems, that only aim at punishing individuals the US juvenile system aims toward instilling behavioral change in individuals. In the long run, positive members of society are created. Conclusively, the theories and treatment programs for the young adults and adults have a great relationship. However, the psychological approaches to treatment of the delinquent and adult offenders hold justifiable grounds, as they involve the offenders in making the best decisions in their life through exposure to realty. References Champion, D. (2008). Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections in the United States. New York: Prentice Hall. Mack, K. Y., Leiber, M. J., Featherstone, R. A., & Monserud, M. A. (2007). Reassessing the family-delinquency association: Do family type, family processes, and economic factors make a difference? Journal of Criminal Justice, 35, 51–67. Nelson, K. E. (2007). Family-based services for juvenile offenders. Children and Youth Services Review, 12, 193–212. Sametz, L.(2004).Revamping the Adolescents Justice System to Serve the Needs of the Very Young Offender. Journal of Juvenile and Family Court. Volume: 34, Issue: 4; 21-30. Smith, T. E., Sells, S. P., Rodman, J., & Reynolds, L. R. (2006). Reducing adolescent substance abuse and delinquency: Pilot -based research of a family-oriented psycho education curriculum. Journal of Child & Adolescent Abuse, 15(4), 105–115. Stuart, J., Fondacaro, M., Miller, S. A., Brown, V., & Brank, E. (2008). Procedural justice in family conflict resolution and deviant peer group involvement among adolescents: The mediating influence of peer conflict. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 37, 674–684. Vold, G. B., Bernard, T. J., & Snipes, J. B. (2002). Theoretical criminology (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press, Inc. Read More