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Journal Article 1:

Citation: Myers, D. L. (2003). Adult crime, adult time: Punishing violent youth in the adult criminal justice system. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 1(2), 173–197.

Abstract: Contemporary concerns about youth violence and related legislative reforms have resulted in greater numbers of adolescent offenders being handled in the adult criminal justice system. Although some past research suggests that juveniles transferred to adult court often receive somewhat lenient treatment, more recent studies focusing on violent youthful offenders have found the adult system to be more punitive in nature. This study examined this issue for 557 violent youth from Pennsylvania, of which 138 were judicially waived to adult court. Statistical analyses revealed that in terms of punishment certainty, severity, and swiftness, juveniles transferred to adult court were treated more harshly than were those retained in juvenile court, whereas juvenile court processing occurred much more quickly. Corresponding policy implications are discussed.

Journal Article 2:

Citation: Benekos, P. J., Merlo, A. V., & Puzzanchera, C. M. (2013). In defence of children and youth: Reforming juvenile justice policies. International Journal of Police Science and Management, 15(2), 125–143.

Abstract: When US Attorney-General Eric Holder unveiled Defending Childhood in 2010, he signaled that the Department of Justice was prioritizing the victimization and abuse of children and youth with federal initiatives. Reflective of this pronouncement, there has been increasing awareness of youth as victims and the detrimental and counterproductive effects of punitive sanctions that have characterized recent decades of juvenile justice policy. In this paper, the authors identify judicial and legislative initiatives that indicate a rejuvenilisation in juvenile justice policy. Some developments signify that the system is returning to its earlier mission and model in which youth are perceived as victims rather than mini-adult offenders, and greater emphasis is placed on interventions designed to protect and treat child victims. The authors propose that although punitive policies remain, the juvenile justice system has returned to a more youth-oriented system.