Juvenile Justice in the Social and Political Discourse of Modern Russia

Key words: adolescents, juvenile justice, public fostering, political status, international practices. The current paper examines a theoretical and methodological framework for research of state policy on the protection of the rights of adolescents as a social and age group. In particular, in this study we have investigated different approaches to the problem of protection of the rights of adolescents both in international practices and in the Russian Federation. A great number of fine examples in activity organization of this type was found as we have considered practices in functioning of systems preventing antisocial behaviour, child neglect, homelessness and beggary; systems warning administrative violations and juvenile offences as well as systems dealing with involvement juvenile offenders in various types of legal and other responsibilities in developed foreign countries. While analyzing juvenile justice functioning, the successful practices in France and Germany in which the principle of an individual approach in attitude to a juvenile offender can be distinctively seen including the structural level, was considered the best among international practices in prevention system organization. On the ground of evaluating problems and perspectives of the Russian Federation legislation development concerning public fostering execution and Child Protection Services activity, a conclusion was drawn that the public fostering is necessary, nevertheless, it should be carried out by Child Protection Services alongside with law enforcement agencies, civil society representatives including Russian Orthodox Church in order to make an informed decision in each problematic situation within a family. The objectives which should be corresponded by the juvenile justice system in a modern society have been defined.