Juvenile delinquency (1955)

4 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY young people who have been convicted of some kind of crime are in jails along with hardened criminals. There is no special training or schools for them. It is true that in 98 percent of the cases there is very little rehabilitation to get them adjusted back into a normal productive life. But here in California the work of the youth au- thority and the special projects like ranch and forestry camps present one of the most encouraging approaches to this rehabilitation program. If adequate care and attention be given to the child once he goes wrong, he can again be set on the right track. The saving to society will not only be in terms of dollars and cents but also in the terms of human life. Tomorrow our subcommittee will study the relationship of crime and violence movies to juvenile crime. I am happy to say that we have had the finest possible cooperation from all parts of the movie industry in our approach to this problem in getting this information that we want and need. On Friday we shall continue the investigation of the relationship of pornographic materials to delinquency. Mr. James Bobo, this small young man at my left, is our chief counsel. Mr. Bobo, do you have any comments or any information that you wish to present before we call our first witness ? Mr. Bobo. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I have two resolutions I would like the record to show. The first is the resolution authorizing the sitting of this committee. Chairman Kefau\^r. The first is Senate Resolution Xo. 62, which will be read into the record at this point, which is the resolution creat- ing this subcommittee. The second is a resolution passed by this sub- committee authorizing the chairman and such other committee mem- bers as may be present to hold these hearings here on June 15, 16, and 17. This will also be read into the record: Calendar No. 54, S4th Congress, 1st session. Senate Resolution 62 (Kept. No. 51), in the Senate of the United States, February 21, 1955. Mr. Kilgore, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported the following resolution; which was refered to the Committee on Rules and Administration. March 10, 1955, Reported by Mr. Green, with amendments. RESOLUTION Resolved, That in holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making inves- tigations as authorized by section 134 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, and in accordance with its jurisdictions specified by rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate insofar as they relate to the authority of the Com- mittee on the Judiciary to conduct a full and complete study of juvenile delin- quency in the United States, including (a) the extent and character of juvenile delinquency in the United States and its causes and contributing factors, (6) the adequacy of existing provisions of law, including chapters 402 and 403 of title 18 of the United States Code, in dealing with youthful offenders of Federal laws, (c) sentences imposed on, or other correctional action taken with respect to, youthful offenders by Federal courts, and (d) the extent to which juveniles are violating Federal laws relating to the sale or use of narcotics, the Com- mittee on the Judiciary, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized from March 1, 1955, through July 31, 1955, (1) to make such expenditures as it deems advis- able including no more than $2,000 for obligations outstanding and incurred pursuant to Senate Resolution 49, agreed to February 4, 1955; (2) to employ on a temporary basis such technical, clerical, and other assistants and con- sultants as it deems advisable; and (3) with the content of the heads of the department or agency concerned, to utilize the reimbursable services, informa- tion, facilities, and personnel of any of the departments or agencies of the Government.