NCJ Number
52666
Date Published
1978
Length
72 pages
Annotation
AFTER A CRITIQUE OF MANY COMMONLY HELD ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WORK, THE CONCENSUS OBTAINED THROUGH A SERIES OF SIX REGIONAL CONFERENCES IS GIVEN. A NEW APPROACH TO JUVENILE JUSTICE IS RECOMMENDED.
Abstract
THIS REPORT IS THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE ON JUVENILE JUSTICE OF THE OHIO COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, A GROUP REPRESENTING 25 DENOMINATIONS AND A NUMBER OF CONCERNED CIVIC GROUPS. THE FIRST PART OF THIS PAPER CONDEMNS THE CURRENT PRACTICE OF INCARCERATING STATUS OFFENDERS, CRITICIZES TRADITIONAL EFFORTS TO WORK WITH FAMILIES OF YOUNG OFFENDERS, AND STATES THAT A FAMILY'S ECONOMIC NEEDS MUST BE MET BEFORE ANY MEANINGFUL EFFORT CAN BE MADE TO STRENGTHEN THE EMOTIONAL LIFE OF THE FAMILY. THEN THE RESULTS OF A SERIES OF SIX CONFERENCES ARE GIVEN. THESE REGIONAL MEETINGS, HELD IN COLUMBUS, LANCASTER, DAYTON, CANTON, FINDLAY, AND CLEVELAND, BROUGHT TOGETHER PUBLIC OFFICIALS, CHURCH MEMBERS, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL TO DISCUSS THE NEEDS OF OHIO'S JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE DISCUSSION FOR EACH CONFERENCE IS SUMMARIZED AND A PROPOSED JUVENILE JUSTICE MODEL IS GIVEN. THE FULL PLAN IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT (NCJ 52665). THIS SUMMARY CRITICIZES THE OVERUSE OF INCARCERATION, ESPECIALLY FOR STATUS OFFENDERS, AND THE FAILURE OF STATE AND COUNTY PROGRAMS TO MEET NEIGHBORHOOD NEEDS. THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES MORE LOCAL CONTROL OF PROGRAMS, GREATER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TO HANDLE JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL IN ITS EARLIER STAGES, AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION FOR STATUS OFFENDERS. A PLAN OF IMPLEMENTATION IS INCLUDED. (GLR)