Letters, Aug. 1, 1977

Young Criminals

To the Editors:

Your picture of juvenile delinquency in today's society [July 11] is shocking and depressing. But as one of the thousands of people who work in the juvenile corrections system, I find it distressing to see an article like this making our work seem so futile. We do care and we do take over where parents and the community fail in their dealings with youthful offenders. And the day we give up on them is the day when juvenile crime will skyrocket.

Tom McAuliffe

Juvenile Aftercare/ Forestry Camp Boston

True, true, true. Your article on youth crime rang with truth. I myself was a victim of an assault by a 14-year-old. Surprisingly, he was set free, because it was a "first offense."

Grace Lemuel Winchester, Va.

We don't need tougher judges but tougher parents, teachers and clergy.

E. Jerome Scott New York City

It is ridiculous to talk about rehabilitation of children who have never been habilitated! Unless and until we demand that government at all levels provide adequate funds for programs that will meet the needs of troubled children and isolate those kids who are a danger to their community, the juvenile justice system will continue to be the failure you so vividly depicted—or worse.

Alexander T. Strange II

Probate and Juvenile Judge

Harrison, Mich.

I was ashamed in reading your article titled "The Youth Crime Plague." I, being 15 years old, feel these people make all of us at this age seem criminals. Believe me, I don't find my fun by terrorizing old people.

Leslie Wicker New Port Richey, Fla.

Your story on youth crime is destructive and counterproductive. No one doubts that young people commit crime, though there is more violence inflicted on children by adults than on adults by youths. While that is not a justification of youthful violence, it is an aspect not to be ignored.

I work with hundreds of teen-age kids, all of whom have been in trouble. They come to us burdened with negative labels from schools, courts and jails. The system has written them off, and we find most are starving for acceptance and direction.

They are salvageable and represent an untapped resource.

David Rothenberg, Executive Director

The Fortune Society

New York City

I was disappointed that you only peripherally acknowledged the root of youth crime: procreation by those who are unqualified for parenthood.

Gordon Cornell Lake Oswego, Ore.

The solution of the youth crime problem does not depend only on an improved judiciary system and better legislation. To wipe out crime a whole set of economic, social, cultural, educational and legal problems have to be solved. Higher living standards unaccompanied by provision for better education will have little effect.

We consider punishment to be an auxiliary means of combatting crime. It must be combined with education and public influence. We think that crime can be eradicated through progressive improvement of social relations.

Igor Karpets, Chief of the U.S.S.R.

Criminal Investigation Department

Moscow