United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice

1.1 Member States shall seek, in conformity with their respective
general interests, to further the well-being of the juvenile and her
or his family.

1.2 Member States shall endeavour to develop conditions that will ensure
for the juvenile a meaningful life in the community, which, during
that period in life when she or he is most susceptible to deviant
behaviour, will foster a process of personal development and
education that is as free from crime and delinquency as possible.

1.3 Sufficient attention shall be given to positive measures that
involve the full mobilization of all possible resources, including
the family, volunteers and other community groups, as well as
schools and other community institutions, for the purpose of
promoting the well-being of the juvenile, with a view to reducing
the need for intervention under the law, and of effectively, fairly
and humanely dealing with the juvenile in conflict with the law.

1.4 Juvenile justice shall be conceived as an integral part of the
national development process of each country, within a comprehensive
framework of social justice for all juveniles, thus, at the same
time, contributing to the protection of the young and the
maintenance of a peaceful order in society.

1.5 These Rules shall be implemented in the context of economic, social
and cultural conditions prevailing in each Member State.

1.6 Juvenile justice services shall be systematically developed and
co-ordinated with a view to improving and sustaining the competence
of personnel involved in the services, including their methods,
approaches and attitudes.