Juvenile Justice: An Introduction, 8th edition, presents a comprehensive picture of juvenile offending, delinquency theories, and how juvenile justice actors and agencies react to delinquency. It covers the history and development of the juvenile justice system and the unique issues related to juveniles, offering evidence-based suggestions for successful interventions and treatment and examining the new balance model of juvenile court.
This new edition not only includes the latest available statistics on juvenile crime and victimization, drug use, court processing, and corrections, but provides insightful analysis of recent developments, such as those related to the use of probation supervision fees; responses to gangs and cyber bullying; implementing the deterrence model (Project Hope); the possible impact of drug legalization; the school-to-prison pipeline; the extent of victimization and mental illness in institutions; and implications of major court decisions regarding juveniles, such as Life Without Parole (LWOP) for juveniles.
Each chapter enhances student understanding with Key Terms, a "What You Need to Know" section highlighting important points, and Discussion Questions. Links at key points in the text show students where they can go to get the latest information, and a comprehensive glossary aids comprehension.
Whitehead and Lab provide a comprehensive overview of the juvenile justice system and successfully present balanced perspectives of the major issues and controversies that professionals in juvenile justice grapple with. The field is rapidly changing and Whitehead and Lab have managed to keep their material current, relevant, and engaging.
-Bruce D. Stout, Criminology, The College of New Jersey
The Eight Edition of Juvenile Justice, by John T. Whitehead and Steven P. Lab is a well written, well researched, and up-to-date textbook that clearly provides all key topics that must be taught during a full semester course in juvenile justice. A strength is the exemplary pedagogic materials that are clear and relevant without overwhelming the content. What may be most helpful however, is how key topics are explained relative to their effectiveness and practical significance to current problems in the juvenile justice system. In this way students can understand why they should know this stuff!
-Harry R. Dammer, Chair, Sociology/Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of Scranton
Definitely the most comprehensive and up to date textbook available on Juvenile Justice. Covers the history of juvenile justice, including recent Landmark Court Rulings, current theories and rehabilitation programs for juveniles. This textbook is the main textbook for my Criminal Justice graduate course.
-Bruce T. McKinnon, Criminal Justice, Columbia College