NCJ Number
48853
Date Published
1977
Length
66 pages
Annotation
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND YOUTH SERVICE AGENCIES OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, ILL., ARE ASSESSED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SYSTEM ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THE STUDY INITIALLY WAS CONCERNED WITH THE ACTIVITIES AND RESIDENCE OF ALLEGED JUVENILE OFFENDERS BETWEEN THE TIME OF ARREST AND DISPOSITION OF THE CASE BY THE COURT (INTAKE, RELEASE TO PARENTS, SHELTER CARE, DETENTION, ETC.), ITS SCOPE BROADENED TO ENCOMPASS RELATED ISSUES (E.G., YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN PLANNING). SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC WERE COMPLETED, AS WERE PROGRAM AND ARCHITECTURAL EVALUATIONS OF YOUTH DETENTION AND SHELTER CARE FACILITIES. DATA ON THE FLOW OF YOUTHS THROUGH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WERE EXAMINED. COMMUNITY RESOURCES WERE ASSESSED WITH A VIEW TOWARD THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO ACCUSED JUVENILE OFFENDERS AWAITING COURT DISPOSITION. THE STUDY REPORT OFFERS AN ASSESSMENT OF YOUTH SERVICE NEEDS IN CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, A PROFILE OF DELINQUENT YOUTH IN THE COUNTY, A DESCRIPTION AND AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EXISTING JUVENILE JUSTICE AND YOUTH SERVICE SYSTEM, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE SYSTEM. THE RECOMMENDATIONS, BASED ON THE MODEL DEVELOPED BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY, INCLUDE ESTABLISHMENT OF A YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU. SUPPORTING DATA ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)