NCJ Number
199880
Date Published
2002
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This report profiles the characteristics of those juveniles committed to the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) in 2002.
Abstract
There were 823 juveniles committed to ADJC in fiscal year 2002, a decrease of 8.5 percent from the 893 juveniles committed in fiscal year 2001. Almost half (43.6 percent) of the new commitments were convicted of property offenses, decreasing from 48.9 percent in fiscal year 2001. Theft, including theft of vehicles, represented the highest percentage of property offenses. Crimes against persons represented 20.8 percent of the new commitments, increasing from 17.8 percent in fiscal year 2001. Aggravated assault composed almost half of this offense category. Juveniles committed on a drug offense represented 17.7 percent of the total commitments. Alcohol offenses have steadily increased since fiscal year 1999, from 1.7 percent to 3.4 percent in fiscal year 2002. Many juveniles committed to ADJC had serious substance abuse problems, as well as problems related to school behavior, emotional, and other needs. Almost all of the juveniles committed in fiscal year 2002 had abused substances, had negative peer relationships, and had engaged in violent behavior. Hispanic juveniles accounted for 45.8 percent of the new commitments in fiscal year 2002. Of the new commitments in fiscal year 2002, males accounted for 88.3 percent. The average length of stay for juvenile commitments increased from 6.9 months in fiscal year 1998 to 7.6 months in fiscal year 2002. 7 tables and 3 figures