School Crime

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces and analyzes the topic of juvenile justice. Specifically, the paper explains school crime, including the characteristics of individual students, schools and communities that seem most important in explaining school crime. It also discusses stories of gun violence, vandalism and gangs as well as the common characteristics that may assist in predicting when school violence will hit a community.

From the Paper:

"As noted, the environment of the school can also be a major factor in violent behavior at the school. The design may be antiquated, and the school may be located in a poor, violent community, and yet the school does not experience as much violence and crime as other schools. Author Welsh has a theory that the school's who are successful in controlling their violence are schools that manage discipline fairly and evenly, are clear about rules and consequences, use reward systems to motivate the students, and reduce frustration in students (Welsh, 2001, p. 920). This means that schools can master their violence problems by rethinking their management and discipline techniques, and working with the students more effectively. Thus, even schools in notoriously "bad" neighborhoods do have to follow the community lead and become havens for violence and crime. Instead, they can stand out as models of student behavior and discipline, and become elevating and motivational to the students, instead of frustrating them, causing fear and a sense of hopelessness, and becoming magnets for violence and crime."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Astor, R.A. Meyer, H.A. and Behre, W.J. (1999). Unowned places and times: Maps and interviews about violence in high schools. American Educational Research Journal, Vol. 36, No. 1, 3-42.
• Crowe, T.D. (1990). Designing safer schools. School Safety. 43-47.
• Jenkins, P.H.(1997). School delinquency and the school social bond. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, Vol. 34 No. 3, 337-367.
• May, D.C. (September 1999). Scared kids, unattached kids, or peer pressure: Why do students carry firearms to school? Youth & Society, Vol. 31 No. 1, 100-127.
• Ousey, G.C. and Wilcox, P. (2005). Subcultural values and violent delinquency: A multilevel analysis in middle schools. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, Vol. 3 No. 1, 3-22.

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