Comprehensive and detailed, this book provides information on: the history of the United States' response to juvenile delinquency; the increasing seriousness of the problem; and the public policies available to deal with it. James C Howell cites the pressing need for a clearer understanding of the risk factors for youth violence. Long-term solutions such as the development of more effective prevention programmes, better-matched offender/treatment programmes, and a more cost effective juvenile justice system are also discussed. Extensive figures and tables are included.