This text investigates the systemic mechanisms of control, correction, and treatment applied to juvenile offenders within the American legal and social framework. Clemens F. Bartollas, a scholar in the field of criminology, synthesizes historical data, sociological theory, and institutional practices to evaluate how society manages youth behavior. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the transition from punitive measures to rehabilitative models, questioning the efficacy of various intervention strategies.

This work serves as a foundational academic text for students and practitioners within the criminal justice field. Its structured approach to the complexities of juvenile rehabilitation provides a clear, clinical overview of the policies and practices prevalent during the late twentieth century.