Similarities Between Juvenile Delinquents And Adult Offenders

Why do we in the correctional field have two distinct terms for Adult Offenders, and Juvenile Delinquents? Why not just call them criminals, that’s what they are right? Well, the term criminal is a label that like most labels, will make us begin to feel like that is what we are. Such as terms like “fat” or “ugly” if someone calls us these things enough we start to believe that is who we are. A solid criminal justice system should work to rehabilitate these individuals so they may return to their families, their friends, and their livelihood. Our system has grown from a punishment based system to a rehabilitative one. Offenders can be just about anybody from someone’s loving mother, to someone’s 10 year old son. There are no limits to who can offend, and for a lot of circumstances, they are just people who have made a few immoral decisions. People like Officer Reich and Officer McArthur both believe that “everyone has the opportunity to change” (JD Reich, Juvenile Court Officer) and “everyone is capable of change when they are motivated by their values” (Kevin McArthur, Probation/Parole Officer). Two very similar philosophies, from two very different perspectives of the probation field, a very common element to treatment is building rapport between a client and an officer. While both officers expressed how important …show more content…
Would it be appropriate to call someone a name with a negative stigma, when there is an opportunity to change? That is what being a probation officer is all about when it comes to Officer Kevin McArthur and Officer JD Reich. Two officers who each gave a little time out of their day to not only educate me about their career, but who also changed the way I thought about other offenders who are in the system. I’ve gained a lot of respect in understanding the challenges and what these officers do every day for the sake of another person. So in the words of Gandhi “be the change you want to see in the