The History and Development of Juvenile Justice

The History and Development of Juvenile Justice CMY2604 - Study Unit 1.1  Learning Outcomes - Define juvenile justice - Distinguish between development and evolution of juvenile justice - Describe juvenile justice across historical periods - Understand the development in...

The History and Development of Juvenile Justice CMY2604 - Study Unit 1.1  Learning Outcomes - Define juvenile justice - Distinguish between development and evolution of juvenile justice - Describe juvenile justice across historical periods - Understand the development in South Africa  Introduction to Juvenile Justice - Youth treatment evolved from harsh to fair - Early societies ignored youthful behaviour - Now a legal and public concern  Key Concepts - Juvenile justice system: distinct from adult systems - Child: Under 18 (or up to 21 in some cases) - Juvenile delinquency: illegal behavior by minors  Juvenile Justice in Antiquity - Early laws like the Code of Hammurabi - Harsh punishments, even for children - No distinct juvenile justice system  The Middle Ages - High child mortality and neglect - Harsh penalties without age consideration - Children viewed as property  The Renaissance Period - Humanistic approach to justice - Education and moral training emphasized - Start of structured discipline  The Colonial Period - Family was primary disciplinarian - Harsh public punishments - Early reforms like Chancery Courts  Industrialisation Era - Children used as cheap labor - Rise of reform institutions - Juvenile court established in 1899 (USA)  Juvenile Justice in South Africa - Historically based on Dutch and British systems - Harsh punishments, no youth- specific facilities - Porter Reformatory School: first reformative institution (1879)  Reforms (1990–2005) - End of apartheid brought legal reforms - 1995: Constitutional Court banned corporal punishment (S v Williams) - Focus shifted to rehabilitation and children’s rights  Post-2005 Reforms - 2008: Child Justice Act passed - Abolished life imprisonment for children - Emphasis on reintegration and rehabilitation  Notable Case Examples - Marlene Lehnberg (1974): Youngest female convicted of murder - 2005: 12-year-old girl’s sentence suspended with correctional supervision - USA: Christopher Pittman, 30-year sentence at age 12  Summary & Discussion - Juvenile justice evolved from punishment to rehabilitation - Modern systems recognize children’s developmental needs Discussion: Should rehabilitation always be prioritized over punishment for youth offenders?