Growing Fears, Rising Crime: Juveniles and China's Justice System

Abstract

While the officially reported incidence of juvenile offenses in the People's Republic of China is significantly lower than that in much of the remainder of the world community, youthful offenders account for about 75% of all criminal cases. This article provides some preliminary insights into juvenile justice in China based on the data available. The study examines survey data from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security and establishes that juveniles in China have a greater fear of crime than their elders and are less willing to cooperate with and less trusting of the justice system. Next, the analysis examines statistical data, both national and provincial, and establishes that youthful offenders account for a disproportionate amount of total crime committed. The work briefly examines crime causation theories forwarded by Chinese scholars and concludes by focusing on gongdu (work-study) schools, examining their philosophy, structure, and their apparent success in reforming juvenile offenders.