Contact: Muriel Banares or
Carmen Ramos Chandler ,
(818) 677-2130
mbanares@exec.csun.edu

Cal State Northridge Professor Emeritus Analyzes
Juvenile Delinquency in the 21st Century

This trend of juvenile crime will have more than 5 million people housed in prisons in the United States as we enter the 21st century, says Cal State Northridge professor emeritus Lewis Yablonsky.

Yablonsky offers his analysis in a practical and solution-based approach to controlling and preventing juvenile delinquency in his new book Juvenile Delinquency: Into the Twenty-First Century.

"The past century has been marked by dramatic changes in patterns of juvenile delinquency," Yablonsky said. "These are increases in patterns of substance abuse, changing attitudes in youthful sexual behavior, an increase of gun possession and how crimes are increasing among middle and upper class youths."

Yablonsky's book reflects his 50 years experience as a researcher and group therapist dealing with crime and delinquency. He interweaves his experiences with those of his colleagues in a variety of settings - including prisons, psychiatric hospitals, community crime prevention and therapeutic communities - who offer their insights on crime and delinquency.

Growing up in a crime-infested New York neighborhood, Yablonsky had a first-hand look into crime and violence. He said his experiences fueled a curiosity that led him to meet and interact with different types of individuals from around the world.

"I have also had the positive experience of observing the fact that, given a chance in an effective treatment program, many youths seemingly trapped in their self-destructive lifestyle can change their behavior in most positive ways and facilitate positive change in their community," Yablonsky said.

Yablonsky has authored 17 books and published several articles in journals on criminology and criminal justice. He continues to teach periodically at Cal State Northridge and serves as a legal consultant and expert witness for court cases. He also is a psychotherapist and a criminologist.

For more information on Lewis Yablonsky, you can visit his website at http://www.loop.com/~yablonsky/.