CheckPoint: Delinquency Deterrence Response

General deterrence is based on the fear of punishment. If criminals fear long prison

sentences, then the criminal will choose not to commit the crime. Part of the deterrence theory is

that the more severe and swift the punishment, the greater the deterrent effect. An example

would be putting more police officers on the street, convincing would-be delinquents that they

will be caught.

Specific deterrence is based on sending convicted offenders to secure facilities so that

punishment is so severe that it convinces them not to repeat their criminal activity. Juveniles are

punished by state authorities with the understanding that their experience will deter future

criminal acts. An example would be using mandatory sentences for some crimes that all youths

who are found to have committed those crimes be incarcerated; first offenders may then be

treated like chronic offenders. First time offenders may then be placed with experienced violent

offenders and consequently suffer significant and irrevocable harm.

Situational crime prevention is a method that relies on reducing the opportunity to

commit criminal acts by making them more difficult to perform, reducing their reward, and

increasing their risks. Some of the strategies being used are: increasing the effort to commit

delinquent acts; increasing the risks of delinquency activity; reducing the rewards attached to

delinquent acts; and increasing the sham of committing a delinquent act. Increasing the effort of

delinquency might involve placing unbreakable glass on storefronts. Increasing the risks of

delinquency might involve improving lighting, creating neighborhood crime watch programs,

and installing security cameras. Reducing the rewards could include making car radios

removable and marking property so that it is more difficult to sell. Increasing shame would be

placing some of the offenders’ names in the local paper.

 I believe that one of the best methods of controlling juvenile crime is utilizing the

situational crime prevention strategies. There has been little evidence to show that harsher

punishment is a source of prevention. Depending on juveniles to always make a rational choice

regarding criminal activity doesn’t appear to be a very effective prevention method, either.