Research Question
The following research question, as posed by Heide (2021), fueled this research: Does releasing already convicted kids promote or discourage juvenile killings in society?
Sample
To uncover the status and the factors that influence juvenile crime and offenders in the United States, Heide (2021) designed a study on 59 boys. As presented in the research, these boys had a history of murder or attempted murder and thus were relevant to answering the research question. Moreover, the boys recruited in the study were between 14 and 17 years old and, therefore, were suitable for understanding why young children get involved in crimes. Finally, the participants consisted of those still in prison, those who had been released and were rearrested again for similar offenses. This was particularly important in understanding the post-release success.
Methodology
The researcher recruited 59 participants who suited this study. To obtain more accurate results, Heide (2021) considered a recidivism follow-up question that tended to unveil why many criminals around the world reoffend after being released from prison. Heide (2021) also carefully incorporated his participants, reaching a diverse group of individuals with different profiles. This is to say that he recruited those still in prison, released criminals, and those who had been released and rearrested after offending again. This was important in this study because the author wanted to collect diverse information and data to help address juvenile offenders in society. The data collection was conducted through interviews, during which various questions were asked regarding detainees’ experiences and prison life conditions.
Procedure
To answer the research question that investigates whether releasing criminals into society promotes or discourages juvenile crime, the author designed and recruited appropriate participants, collecting information and data from a total of 49 participants. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews, during which he asked them questions about the investigation topic. The questions primarily dwelt on prison life experiences and conditions. The data were assembled for data analysis.
Follow-Up Interview Questions
The interview questions were specifically designed to help the author gather relevant information about the research topic. The number of juvenile criminals is increasing, making it a researchable topic to uncover what is currently not happening. The author strives to uncover the experiences that detained children had in prison life, why they became involved in it, and their reflections and regrets after committing the crimes. It was essential to engage the participants so that they could provide their suggestions on how to address juvenile delinquent behaviors and nurture a good community. In addition, the author asked his participants to share their reasons for engaging in criminal behavior so that they could be well-known and take measures to reduce such cases in the community.
Data Analysis
The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. Sociological and psychological theories were used to understand why these boys believed they committed crimes quantitatively. The research employed cross-tabular analysis to explore psychological and sociological factors contributing to criminal involvement. Fischer’s Exact Test was employed, given the small study sample size.
Research Findings
Through study and research, it was found that various factors contribute to juveniles committing crimes. The author documented the most common psychological and sociological factors, as a significant number of participants cited psychological and sociological reasons for engaging in criminal activities. The research finding was necessary in relation to the research question because it helps readers understand the pressures that drive young children in the community to engage in criminal activities.
Psychological Explanations
Individuals hold different psychological reasons for committing crimes. However, Heide (2021) found that teenagers become involved in criminal activities because they attempt to define themselves and establish fame and identity. It was also found that several children in the community are fighting negative and painful feelings that they do not know how to handle. Moreover, many children understand that criminal activities are wrong, but others become involved to satisfy their motives. Finally, the research found that drug and substance abuse in the community is responsible for delinquent behaviors among children.
Sociological Explanations
Through the analysis of the research data and collected information, it was found that nine JHOs provided subcultural explanations for their involvement in juvenile crimes. Another considerable number of the participants referenced peer pressure as another factor that led to their involvement in criminal activities.
The author, again based on the data, concluded that children often have a desire for expensive and fashionable materials that they cannot buy or purchase. Thus, this pressure drives them into engaging in unacceptable behaviors in the community, leading to crime. The study also demonstrated that a lack of social control over one’s life can drive children into criminal activities.
Finally, the sociological explanation of crime also holds that children living in areas prone to violence have higher odds of becoming criminals. This was proved by the study, where it was found that many children who committed murder were raised in violence-prone areas. Social disorganization was also a predisposing factor for children to develop criminal behaviors.
Post-Release Success
The research findings showed that post-release successes depended on the cause of juvenile crime. According to Heide (2021), those whose acts resulted from psychological reasons had a higher chance of post-release success. On the other hand, it was found that those whose criminal acts originated from sociological reasons had a higher chance of being rearrested due to murder cases again. This was particularly essential in understanding why juvenile recidivism is common in society. Hence, through this research, juvenile criminal offenders can be understood from a broader perspective, leading to the development of appropriate programs that can be implemented to curb the increasing population of juvenile offenders in the community.
Summary of Findings
The study findings clearly show that psychological and sociological factors lead to children’s criminal involvement. According to XX (2021), the development of deviant behaviors among children is influenced by numerous factors. As outlined in this research study, these factors included peer pressure, the environment in which a child grows, life desires, and the inability to control emotions. The study reported that children living in an environment prone to criminal activities and violence had a high chance of developing deviant behaviors leading to crime.
From the interview questions, it could be derived and ascertained that different children in society have specific reasons for their involvement in criminal activities. According to Heide (2021), it was found that children get involved in criminal activities because of peer pressures, mental disorders, or life pressures. Moreover, other children were found to have painful experiences and feelings that haunt them, and thus resort to criminal activities to use their pain and suffering. This is particularly common in cases where an individual wants to retaliate for a wrong act and feels it is the only way to let go of their anger.
Study Strengths
One strength of this study is that it collected data from people with histories of attempted murder or murder. This is particularly important because diverse data are required to understand juvenile offenders in the United States and worldwide. Heide (2021) collected data from individuals still in custody, those who had been released and were in the community, and those who had been released but reoffended and were back in prison. The diverse data collected was vital because it helped the researcher understand why children engage in unlawful activities and why other released criminals reoffend after being set free.
This study can also be viewed as a whistleblower to community members to take control of their children to reduce the rising number of juvenile offenders. According to Heide (2021), the number of juveniles committing murder has been rising since 2000, not only in the United States but also worldwide. As such, proper intervention is necessary to educate children on the importance of peace in the community. Through this study’s findings, the community understands the measures that need to be implemented to nurture kids for a better community. Moreover, parents and guardians are advised to effectively manage their children’s behavior so that they do not develop delinquent behaviors that may lead to criminal activities.
Study Limitations
The study used only 59 participants, which is a small sample size, making it challenging to obtain accurate results. The researcher should have recruited at least 500 participants to collect a wide range of data, thereby gaining a thorough understanding of the topic under study. Moreover, the study used only interviews that required physical participants. For comprehensive data collection, the investigation should have employed additional forms of data collection, such as online surveys and focus groups, to provide numerous people worldwide the opportunity to contribute to discussions about juvenile crimes.
Even though the study found that juvenile crimes result from psychological and sociological reasons, the study does not explain how these factors lead to children’s involvement in criminal activities. Moreover, the study should have suggested appropriate plans and programs that the community can implement to reduce pressures that eventually lower the children’s involvement in such deviant acts. Ultimately, the study failed to meet its objective of answering the research question, which aimed to investigate whether releasing convicted juvenile offenders encourages or discourages criminal activities in the community. This is true because, according to the study, some individuals who were released reoffended and were subsequently arrested again.
Implications for the Juvenile Justice System
Since the study revealed that offenses committed by juveniles have been on the rise since 2000, this clearly indicates that the juvenile justice system is not doing what is expected of it to correct the sentenced children. Moreover, it means that the already existing disciplinary measures are not as effective as they should be. As such, the juvenile correction system needs to implement effective programs that aim to improve the lives of sentenced individuals by enhancing their skills and knowledge acquisition. According to Heide (2021), disciplinary punishment, such as detention, is insufficient; individuals need to be offered rehabilitation and education programs to improve their lives upon release from prison.
There are several disparities in the current juvenile justice system, which are revealed by the high rate of recidivism witnessed in the research study. The disparities range from discrimination where black is given heavier punishment than whites; in this case, blacks released are bitter and often reoffend to retaliate from the unjust system that they were put through. According to Heide (2021), the areas that can be changed to improve the juvenile justice system include the reduction of violence in custody and maltreatment that usually occurs to convicted children. Moreover, racial and ethnic disparities must be addressed in the juvenile system to improve how these institutions operate. The juvenile systems also need to implement measures that protect the rights of convicted children.
Reference
Heide, K. M. (2021). Juvenile homicide offenders: Why they were involved in serious crime. Behavioral Sciences & the Law. Web.