The Cycle of Juvenile Justice

I have read both editions and I feel that the author in the first and plural in the latter makes great arguments. I am especially appreciative of their historical analysis, which in my opinion adds more creditability to their theory of "naive risk taking" as what they assert should be considered as a best of the best model that practitioners of the court and system should utilize. I would however caution that they barley fall short of contradicting themselves by violating their set objective standard of the unfair comparison by suggesting this theory. In a sense the book gives off a less damning criticism of the old "Nothing Works" language, but provides the reader with great insight into the historical reasoning of such policy developments and theoretical understanding of the juvenile justice system. They have mastered the art of informative concise writing.

For such a short book, I learned A LOT! This is a great intro book for anyone who wants to go into juvenile justice, either as an attorney or officer. The cases are synthesized with all of the important information that you need if you're headed into a court of appeals, or if you want to do your job right as an officer working with juveniles. This may even help you if you feel that your child, or one that you know, has had their rights violated. This is a great, cost-effective place to start.

The book does not just ramble. It is actually about the cycle of Juvenile Justice and offers explanations of this

Good.

This is an excellent book. It is very informative and an easy read. I would definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the Juvenile justice system.

Textbook

Great read for criminal justice majors

This book does an excellent job at describing the issues that have plagued the juvenile justice system - including the cycle of reforms and what sells. However, they conclude with a political argument, rather than an academic or logical one. Their conclusion is that one side of the cycle should win, the side of leniency. One of their suggestions is to reduce large, state-run facilities and replace them with smaller, private facilities. Part of this recommendation comes from a belief in therapy as a miracle-cure, which, as a therapist I see all too often in court. "Send them to therapy. That will fix the problem." Therapy cannot do miracles. Also, the smaller, private facilities are part of the troubled-teen industry that is already known to have significant problems.