California's Division of Juvenile Facilities: Nine Years After Farrell

• NCJ Number: 241908
• Author(s): Lizzie Buchen, M.S.
• Date Published: April 2013
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Ctr on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
• Sale Source: Ctr on Juvenile and Criminal Justice
• Publication Format: Document; Document (Online); Factsheet
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis; Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study reviews the progress that California's Division of Juvenile Facilities (DIF) has made in implementing court-ordered reforms under Farrell v. Harper (2003), which alleged inhumane conditions in California's juvenile justice facilities and a dismal record of rehabilitating their wards.

Abstract

The following year, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a consent decree that acknowledged the critical problems and pledging to implement significant reforms, including reducing levels of violence, providing more education, treatment, and rehabilitation, and improving medical and mental health care. In 2005, the California Youth Authority was reconstituted as the Division of Juvenile Facilities. DIF has made progress over the past decade, achieving significant reductions in overall levels of violence and use of force in juvenile facilities while implementing an integrated behavioral treatment model. Youth generally feel safe and are spending less time shackled and confined to their cells. This analysis of progress, however, finds that DIF has failed to meet many of the standards promised and required by the Safety and Welfare Remedial Plan. Rates of violence and use of force remain largely unchanged since 2005, and youth residents do not spend sufficient time in structured activities that involve positive interactions with adults. DIF is not using an evidence-based assessment for risks and needs, which is the foundation of its behavioral treatment model. In addition to providing smaller facilities located close to residents' home communities, best practices involve a continuum of care in which youth have a range of programs, services, and custody levels that meet their changing needs as they transition from adjudication through placement or treatment, and then discharge from parole or probation. This continuum is best facilitated by a continuity of care, with the same case manager handling the youth throughout his/her entire experience with the justice system. 87 notes