Final answer:
The recent decrease in the rate of sexual victimization at state juvenile facilities can be attributed to a general decline in national and international crime rates, shifts in societal and demographic factors, and changes in the approaches to crime prevention and sentencing laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The recent decrease in the rate of sexual victimization at state juvenile facilities is attributed to various factors, including a general decline in crime rates, changes in sentencing laws, and societal shifts. Despite the overall increase in the number of inmates as shown in Figure 13.3.15, which details the rise in the prison population from 1920 to 2006, recent approaches to juvenile delinquency have evolved.
Instead of solely increasing incarceration rates, there has been a move towards understanding the impacts of developmental factors such as pubertal status, age, and timing as detailed by Flannery, Rowe, and Gulley, as well as the implementation of more effective deterrents and education. The decrease in juvenile victimization may also align with global trends of decreasing crime, including in countries like Canada that have not used mass incarceration strategies.
Evidence has suggested that more nuanced approaches, rather than 'getting tough on crime', contribute to a decline in crime rates. For example, longer sentencing laws for gun crimes can have a deterrent effect, as seen in New York City where a 5% reduction in gun crime occurred. However, programs such as 'Scared Straight', designed to deter youths from criminal behavior through exposure to the prison environment, have shown the opposite effect, increasing the likelihood of criminal activity. Moreover, locking up serious offenders can be effective in reducing specific types of crime, but long-term imprisonment for lesser crimes shows less impact on overall crime reduction.