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Status Offense Definition

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The purpose of this paper is to interpret the term ‘status offense’ and to analyze its impact on Caribbean societies with special references being made to Jamaica. In the course of this analysis, theories will be applied to explain the prevalence of status offenses in the region. I concluding, recommendations for the treatment of the problem will be proposed. The criminal justice system refers to the set of agencies and processes established by a government in the interest of controlling crime as well as penalizing violators of the law (Siegel 2007). While the laws that are set out apply to all individuals within a particular jurisdiction, there is generally a distinction between the treatments of two specific groups of persons in judicial …show more content…

Status offending behaviours are often times manifestations of underlying problems being faced by the juvenile offender. It could be that a child is being neglected, abused, bullied by peers, etc. and a drink, cigarette or running away provides an escape. Considering this, research has shown that there is a link between one’s engagement in status offending behaviour and delinquency later in life, thereby placing juveniles at a greater risk for drug use, victimization, physical and mental health issues, such as addiction (Greenwood and Turner 2011; Chuang and Wells 2010; Buffington, Dierkhising, and Marsh 2010; Henry, Knight, and Thornberry 2012; Mersky, Topitzes, and Reynolds …show more content…

In instances where the state intervenes and takes the offender from the home, a burden is placed on state funds, hence, taxpayers feel the brunt of providing for yet another ward. Additionally, in recent times, these cases have evolved into much more than a financial issue as juveniles are dying in lockups. This is a result of the poor living conditions and stress on the inside and where children are being housed with adults due to overpopulation of juvenile facilities. When a situation such as the latter presents itself, the child either meets his or her demise or emerges from the facility as a hardened criminal, having learned for older inmates. The case of Vanessa Wint’s suicide, November 21, 2012 is a classic example (Duncan, 2013). Following repeated sexual abuse, Wint displayed maladaptive behaviours that led a judge to label her as ‘uncontrollable’ and rule that she be put in state care. After surviving a fire at her Armadale state home in St. Ann, she ended up at Horizon Remand Centre (an adult correctional facility) following a series of transfers. It was at Horizon that she hung herself to escape her harsh reality. This may be just a preview of what is to come because according to Duncan “There are approximately 400 children in the care of the Department of Correctional Services. Thirty-seven wards of the State are being housed in

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