Evening star., 1952-06-13
Court Advisory Group
To Study New Methods
ToCurtai| Delinquency

IoCurtai| Delinquency
New methods for dealing with
Washington's juvenile delinquency
problem will be sought this sum-
mer by the Juvenile Court Ad-
visory Committee.
The committee yesterday de-
cided to launch study aimed at
these three detectives:
l. A community program Of
Juvenile crime prevention.
2. Better rehabilitation of juve-
nile offenders.
8. More help from churches in
both problems.
Mrs. Henry Grattan Doyle
chairman. said she will appoint O
subcommittee to work on the
project this summer.
Present Methods Criticized.
The move was decided on after
the advisory group heard strons
criticism of present community
efforts toward delinquency.
Henry ]. Palmieri, Juvenile
Courts social work director. ac-
cused the community of being
penny wise and pound foolish"
in spending all its money on cor
rective institutions.
The District isn't doing any
thing. he charged. to guide young
offenders after they are released.
Mr.. Palmieri asserted the COM
munity is apathetic about crime
prevention.
Juvenile Court Judge Edith H.
Cockrill said her court is getting
far too many repeaters. She said
the supervision and support now
given Board of Public Welfare
wards after their release isn't
what is needed.
Mrs. Doyle said the city lacks a
continuing emphasis on the child
in trouble. She suggested the
need of some overall agency,
which would oversee work with
delinquents and potential delin-
QuentS.
Church Help Held Need.
The need for church help was
cited by Hugh Smith, principal OF
Jefferson Junior High School. He
asserted that downtown churches,
in particular. should do more to-
keep youngsters out of trouble.
Mr.. Palmieri described the work
of Youth Service Boards in COM
batting delinquency in other cities.
The boards are stated with
technicians, he said. who go into
trouble areas. establish contact
with families and refer youngsters
in need of guidance to other
agencies, such as boys clubs and
child welfare groups. The boards
then provide public funds for
these other groups to do the work.
These other communities, Mr..
Palmieri said, are doing job OF
prevention and are mot waiting
for youngsters to be arrested" He
said this course is cheaper in the
long run.
New York City. which has had
such a system for year. is able
to prevent a great many families
from breaking down to the point
where they need relief. he said.
He added that the program "is
keeping many kids out Of court"
Two Reports Heard.
The committee heard two sub
committee reports recommending
steps for improved relationships
between the court and the public
schools and the Welfare Depart
menv.
The school report cited need
for better communication between
schools and court. better under
standing by school officials Of
court problems and procedures, a
Qualification of responsibilities and
an expanded program for meeting
children's needs.
It was announced that Judge
Cockrill plans to address about
200 school officers on mutual
problems. No date has been set.
On welfare. Joint meetings be-
tween court and welfare officials
were suggested whenever problems
arise.
Judge Cockrill said she ap-
proved of both reports.
Backlog Reduced.
Mrs. Robert E. Freer reported
that the courts backlog of cases
has been reduced considerably
and that men make UP more than
half of the court staff now. The
time in processing complaints also
has been considerably reduced.
she said.
These points were included in
q report on the results Of recon-
mendations made last year by
special survey committee for i'm
proving court procedures. One
criticism had been that too many
staff members were women.
Mrs. Freer said she felt that
great strides have been made.
The meeting was the advisory
groups last until September IL.