Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform: 2007-2008

• NCJ Number: 239882
• Author(s): Annie Balck
• Date Published: December 2008
• Length: 36 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
• Corporate Author: National Juvenile Justice Network
• Sale Source: National Juvenile Justice Network
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Annual/Periodic); Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This third compilation of advances in juvenile justice in various States addresses what has occurred from 2007 to 2008.

Abstract

The report shows that across the country, States are changing their laws, policies, and practices in order to institute a more humanitarian approach to juvenile offenders. States are beginning to recognize that institutionalizing youth in large facilities located far from their families and communities is harmful to children and impairs their development of positive attitudes and behavior. States are closing down large facilities, diverting youth from formal case processing, and establishing smaller, more therapeutic placements that keep youth in their homes under community supervision. Sentencing and adjudication processes are trending away from transferring youth to adult court; and States are increasing the discretion given to juvenile court judges, as mandatory transfer and sentencing laws are being eliminated. Many States are following Connecticut's example in moving toward raising the age for juvenile court jurisdiction to age 18. States are also returning to the initial promise of the juvenile court by improving indigent defense systems, juvenile confidentiality protections, and the treatment of juvenile sex offenders. This edition has altered some of the categories of change that were in the last edition, in order to provide a more accurate statement of the wide range of reforms being adopted across the country. Some new categories of reform have been added in order to encompass new frontiers for change. Specifically, the report contains a new "School to Prison Pipeline" category that includes the positive reforms being made in school policies. Another new section is entitled, "Promising Commissions and Studies," which lists some of the government-sponsored efforts that often lead to reforms. Still, the advances reported are only a sampling of the many reforms in juvenile justice being enacted across the country. The reforms are presented by State.