Public Opinion on Youth, Crime and Race: A Guide for Advocates. Building Blocks for Youth

This guide summarizes public opinion research on youth and juvenile justice issues from the Building Blocks for Youth focus groups and various national polls. Overall, the public is less fearful about crime than in the past but believes juvenile crime is increasing. There is serious public concern about the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system and what happens to youth in the system. The public holds mixed views about racial stereotypes and crime and is uncertain whether the system acts in a biased manner. Large majorities support measures to remedy unequal treatment of minorities. The public believes that the system should impose consequences on youth who break the law to teach them responsibility. It shows little support for simply incarcerating youth and prefers rehabilitation and treatment programs. Recommendations include acknowledging accountability, emphasizing that it does not necessarily mean incarceration; promoting rehabilitation that includes mentoring, counseling, and meeting with and compensating victims; and informing the public about racial unfairness. The public recommends communicating clear messages, using appropriate messengers such as rehabilitated offenders and their parents and victims of crime, and telling the personal stories of incarcerated youth. The paper presents case examples from Maryland and Louisiana and key dates in juvenile justice. (Contains 11 references.) (SM)