There are a lot of people in China. Their population of approximately 1.5 billion citizens means there are many juveniles to look after. Furthermore, out of all countries in the OECD (Organization for Economic Development) China ranks first in relative child income poverty rate.
(OECD Child Relative Income Poverty Rate)
From class I know that low income strongly correlates to crime. Because of China’s gargantuan population
as well as the high rate of youth crime I decided to examine how youth detention functions in this country.
as well as the high rate of youth crime I decided to examine how youth detention functions in this country.
In recent years, China has gradually shifted toward a Western model for youth detention. Convicted youth
are sent to the Institute of Rehabilitation of Juvenile Offenders—IRJO for short. These IRJOs were established
on Confucian and Legalist philosophies. China has governed with these two philosophies since 202 BC during
the Han Dynasty. A major change to youth justice came in the 1970s when urbanization and economic
reform caused juvenile delinquency to skyrocket. Youth crime bloomed from “1.4% in 1977, 2.2% in 1978,
and 3.3% in 1979, and then reached 23.8% in 1985” (Liu, Zhao and Zhang 147). This rapid increase provoked
China to change from a punitive model to finding ways to prevent and deter youth crime.
are sent to the Institute of Rehabilitation of Juvenile Offenders—IRJO for short. These IRJOs were established
on Confucian and Legalist philosophies. China has governed with these two philosophies since 202 BC during
the Han Dynasty. A major change to youth justice came in the 1970s when urbanization and economic
reform caused juvenile delinquency to skyrocket. Youth crime bloomed from “1.4% in 1977, 2.2% in 1978,
and 3.3% in 1979, and then reached 23.8% in 1985” (Liu, Zhao and Zhang 147). This rapid increase provoked
China to change from a punitive model to finding ways to prevent and deter youth crime.
(Juvenile Flow Chart. Liu, Zhang, and Zhao. China Statistical Yearbook)
Acts such as sealing juvenile crime records and cutting down of pretrial juvenile detention showed China
wanted to prioritize the well being of youth rather than scold them. Another popular alternative to
detention is reform through labor. The idea is to train youth in monetary skills that make reintegration into
society a smoother transition. However, there are still cases that require prosecution and detention.
wanted to prioritize the well being of youth rather than scold them. Another popular alternative to
detention is reform through labor. The idea is to train youth in monetary skills that make reintegration into
society a smoother transition. However, there are still cases that require prosecution and detention.
This is how the legal system functions for twelve to eighteen year olds in China. Children between twelve
and sixteen receive greater leniency and lighter sentences compared to their older counterparts. If an
offender is determined to need a trial, it is the police officer’s discretion if a pretrial juvenile is taken into
custody. Economic background plays a pivotal role in this decision as juveniles with little parental
supervision (like those with two full time working parents) are more likely to go to detention centers.
When a trial occurs the court proceedings unfold just as an adult court case would. Unlike in America
where a separate juvenile evaluative system exists. According to the Criminal Procedure Code of 2012,
unless an extreme case occurs the maximum juvenile imprisonment lasts one year. When in an IRJO
access to information becomes far more opaque. In Western countries like America, Canada, and the UK
youth detention centers post their daily schedules and rules to websites.
and sixteen receive greater leniency and lighter sentences compared to their older counterparts. If an
offender is determined to need a trial, it is the police officer’s discretion if a pretrial juvenile is taken into
custody. Economic background plays a pivotal role in this decision as juveniles with little parental
supervision (like those with two full time working parents) are more likely to go to detention centers.
When a trial occurs the court proceedings unfold just as an adult court case would. Unlike in America
where a separate juvenile evaluative system exists. According to the Criminal Procedure Code of 2012,
unless an extreme case occurs the maximum juvenile imprisonment lasts one year. When in an IRJO
access to information becomes far more opaque. In Western countries like America, Canada, and the UK
youth detention centers post their daily schedules and rules to websites.
(Bel Air Detention Center, Virginia, USA)
China does not offer the same visibility to daily life. What I can ascertain is the general philosophy of
IRJOs. They require inmates to learn politics, formal, and moral education so they can reintegrate into
society as intelligent community members. China has made greater strides in curtailing a rapidly rising
trend in youth crime, but much is still to be learned about their unique and complex system.
IRJOs. They require inmates to learn politics, formal, and moral education so they can reintegrate into
society as intelligent community members. China has made greater strides in curtailing a rapidly rising
trend in youth crime, but much is still to be learned about their unique and complex system.
Sources:
Anqi, Shen, and Steve Hall. “The same the whole world over? A review essay on youth offending from
the 1980s and youth justice in contemporary China.” International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice,
vol. 43, no. 2, Jun. 2015, p. 273-291.
the 1980s and youth justice in contemporary China.” International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice,
vol. 43, no. 2, Jun. 2015, p. 273-291.
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