THE THROWAWAY CHILDREN

Mrs. Richette, formerly Assistant D.A. in Philadelphia's Juvenile Court, has marshalled a number of heartbreakingly pertinent case histories of children brought before the court to point up the appalling inadequacies of the juvenile court system as it stands. Although Mrs. Richette heartily supports the recommendations of the President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice (findings published in 1967), and her observations of the Philadelphia system underscore the need for concrete reform, she mainly relies on a parade of shocking cases to arouse an indifferent public. Even when utilized by a sympathetic judge, referral and custodial facilities are inadequate and often harmful. Although judges may work overtime to dispose of cases, many children are detained weeks for a hearing. This is not nearly as coordinated and organized a report as professionals in this and related fields might wish, and Mrs. Richette's approach does not take account of the varieties of juvenile ""criminal"" behavior but her experience highlights a shocking situation, of which most are unaware.