Briefly describe the concept of get-tough strategies to prevent delinquency.

You have proven to Mr. Shaw throughout the semester that you are a budding expert on the sociology of juvenile delinquency. Shaw has promoted you to be his senior research assistant. The Mayor of Chicago has appointed the two of you to the city’s Juvenile Delinquency Task Force, which seeks to address the city’s delinquency problem. One project that the Task Force is undertaking involves making recommendations to the Mayor on the most effective strategies for deterring and preventing delinquency. The Mayor is considering enacting “get-tough” strategies but is open to considering other ideas if a convincing case can be made. The Task Force has asked you to take a first stab at this issue. Write up a 2- 3 page memo for the Task Force addressing the following:
1. Briefly describe the concept of get-tough strategies to prevent delinquency. What are the intended goals of these strategies and how are they supposed to operate in theory?
2. What are the main reasons that punishment may not deter juveniles from delinquency? Chapter 23 of your textbook offers four explanations. To provide the Task Force with real-life examples, describe instances where society responded punitively to Stanley’s delinquency and the resulting consequences.
3. Based on the evidence provided in your textbook and course lectures, what factors may increase the effectiveness of punishment? Pick one of these factors and explain how Stanley’s punishment may have been more effective if this factor was employed.
4. Propose an alternative strategy to a get-tough approach that the Mayor can implement to combat delinquency. This strategy can aim to deter or prevent delinquency, rehabilitate delinquents, or some combination thereof. You have the flexibility to be creative and ambitious here. When possible, you should use evidence from the textbook and/or The Jack-Roller to make a convincing argument that your proposed strategy will be more effective than a get-tough approach. You should spend 1-1 ½ pages responding to this prompt. The following chapters will be helpful for developing a strategy: a. Agnew and Brezina: Chapter 23 (Strategies of Deterrence and Incapacitation); Chapter 24 (Strategies of Prevention and Rehabilitation) b. The Jack-Roller: You may draw from the entire book. Chapter 13 (XIII) (Summary of Case and Social Treatment) contains an overview of Stanley’s treatment and what interventions were the most successful in helping him to desist from delinquency.

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