Empirical Findings on Short-term Detention for Young Offenders – A Presentation of Research Based Studies

Abstract

Short-term detention for young offenders is still a controversial sanction instrument which, despite all the criticism within juvenile criminal proceedings, is ordered as the most frequent measure that involves deprivation of liberty. Following Germany’s 2006 federalism reform, short-term detention laws for young offenders have now been passed in most federal states, focusing on problem-oriented work with young people. This article looks at the target group of young offenders in short-term detention as this subject perspective has so far received little attention in research, and suggests the need for a change of perspective in research to this end.