The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-02


 written pages, the report offers c careful survey of the work done by Miss Crowley during 1884. and shows many steps or progrcss m the handling of juvenile cases.
 During 1894, according to the re- port, there were 196 cases disposed of in Juvenile court, the large ma 1ority of them being boys. The report calls attention 10 the fact that during the year 20 per cent of the previous probation cases made good"
 Miss Crowley extends thanks to many assisting persons ana aScn- cies, paying particular tribute to the work of the Quota club and the Reciprocity club. She expresses admiration for the sympathy and understanding shown in handling cases by Judge John McGrath and Judge Edward Mascolo.
 Miss crowley's report follows:
 have the honor to submit my annual report. From January ]. 1884 to December 31, 1894. 196 cases were disposed of in the Juvenile court of Waterbury. Of this number 23 were girls and 173 were boys. The ages ranged from eight to sixteen. Whatever measure of success we have obtain ed in the disposition of these eases cannot be evaluated for at least i've years. Careful check on last years records shows what we may expect this year. Twenty per cent of the total number on. probation last year made god. Figures would tend to show that we may expect a similar measure of success this year. Six probationers have made the honor roll in school; eight made their school baseball team in the public school baseball league sponsored by our department Of recreation. Twenty per cent VIII show improvement. Twenty per cent will probably be failures. This can be accounted for by the fact that 54 children who appeared in the juvenile court this year had been there previous to 1883. Five of them from two to three times. Fifteen of the 54 had to be com mitted to state institutions for dependent and delin-, quent children. Inadequate super vision at home, serious maladJust- ment in school or mental defect ac- counts for the commitment of these children. About 15 per cent come under the heading of children are still on 
 Busy Periods
 The number of children under during 1894 varied from q low of sixteen boys and two girls in September to a high of 53 boys and six girls during January and February. The average length of Q probationary period was six and the longest time ordcr- cd by one of our judges was two years. This girl was involved in Il serious case and the judge wished to have Q detailed study made over q fairly long period in order to help the girl adjust herself to Q normal routine of living.
 During the twelve months 2.300 calls have been made at the pro. bation office. The greater prOpor- ton of these calls consisted of boys and girls who were on probation and who must report once a week unless illness or indictment weather Other callers, for ad- vice and help, varied from IA to 41 per day. Some of the stories and they brought were trivial and petty. Many were of q were persons who found themselves al lt,,. Sa,Ix lntx fn1t totally unable to cope with alone. The probation officer collected $1O9.3G for restitutiOn; $125 was collected for private and other in- stitutions. A total of ITS visits Of investigation were made to home, schools, etc.
 Juvenile Court
 The loudest and angriest critic- ism heard this year in social serv- ice discussions ccntered around juvenile courts, Juvenile delin- quency. and whether probation really acts as preventative or cure. This was by no means an idle con- trOversy. Many of us would wei come examination of our records at regular intervals and have the percentages of success and failure given publicity in order that tho enlightened, thoughtful members of the community which foots the bills may know the how and why of probation as well as the type of boy or girl with whom probation may work or fail.
 Probation officers know that few jobs on earth have so many com plexities. so few opportunities for laughter. so much work and worry. We must know human beings, and we must understand the never end. ing clash of "unrcgcneratc human nature with the principles of ethics." It Is necessary for use to aid the court in the interpretation of the background of frailty, mean ness. conflicts of religion and racial customs, poverty, and all the other causes which result in n particular boy or girl being brought before the court for correction, guidance aid or encouragement.
 In Waterbury we are proud of the way Judge John r. McGrath and Judge Edward MascolO arc conducting our juvenile court. When Mayor Hayes ordered the re. m0val of the juvenile court from its former location in the dctec. tive bureau to its present beautiful surroundings in city hall the formality which accompanied the hearing of chiidren's cases in the minor court room sappeared. Our judges have sumstitutcd pleasant, informal hearings to which parents and children come without fear.
 Family Histories
 To cur juvenile court, often without legal summons, children come accompanied by parents, school principals.- or interested members of the police department. Seated beside the judge the child tells his story. Previously the court has read case record of the child telling of his home, school and ncighborhood. Also the reports of physical and mental examinations. The family history is often the key to the behavior problem and with parents on hand for questioning the court has an opportunity of seeing at first hand just what the reia- tinn q, n PrtnVpAa mk A ~ latte ns.