The subject of young offenders in our troubled society has been one
that has generated many hours of thought and meditation for
concerned members. It is felt by many that the change needed in the
area of delinquency within the First Nations culture is to overcome the
effects of colonization and this must begin with the youth. It is with the
youth that the future of the culture lies.
There has been extensive research done in this area and
although much of the material is not directed at one specific culture in
society, the facts remain that it is a problem that is growing in
epidemic proportions. Many of the programs that exist in society today
do not address the problems associated with young offenders of
specific cultures. Although the trend is moving in a direction that
addresses programs for specific cultural groups much more emphasis
must be put on these programs.
For First Nations youth that are locked into the juvenile system,
there must be alternative treatment programs made available that
deal with the problems associated with the colonization process that
generations of First Nations people have been subjected to. The
process of decolonization will only be achieved through education,
understanding, and perseverance, and this can only be achieved by
First Nations people working with First Nations people.
As indicated earlier much research has been done on the
problems associated with young offenders and the current treatment
programs. In the following research some of the most recent and
important pieces have been used and to eliminate repetition much has
been deemed unnecessary.
Bibliography
Cooke, David J., Baldwin, Pamela J., Howison, Jacqueline. (1990).
Psychology in Prisons. London: Routledge.
In the second chapter of this book the authors explain in detail
the psychology of criminal behavior and how it develops at...