NCJ Number
68399
Date Published
1979
Length
201 pages
Annotation
PROBLEMS AND PROGRESS WITHIN JUVENILE COURTS, COURT SERVICE UNITS, CRISIS INTERVENTION CENTERS, DETENTION HOMES, COMMUNITY YOUTH HOMES ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN 1978 THROUGH ON-SITE VISITS TO A VARIETY OF URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL VIRGINIA COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION, QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO ALL POLICE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEYS, AND PROBATION OFFICERS IN ORDER TO ASSESS PRIORITY ISSUE AREAS. STATISTICAL DATA WAS GATHERED FROM A NUMBER OF STATE COURT POLICE AGENCIES AND FROM THE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION AND LABOR. THE STUDY REVEALED BOTH SERVICE AND SYSTEM NEEDS. SERVICE NEEDS INCLUDED EXPANDING AVAILABLE EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE, FAMILY GROUP HOMES, AND ALTERNATIVE LIVING SITUATIONS; UPGRADING AND EXPANDING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUTH; AND PROVIDING MARITAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING PROGRAMS BY QUALIFIED STAFF. FURTHER, DELINQUENCY PREVENTION PROGRAMS NEED DEVELOPMENT AND ADEQUATE FUNDING. THERE HAS BEEN NO SYSTEMATIC STATE FUNDING MECHANISM FOR SUCH PROGRAMS, BUT THE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1979 WILL BRING SOME RELIEF. SYSTEM NEEDS ARE AS FOLLOWS. (1) TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE HANDLING OF OFFENSES COMMITTED BY OR AGAINST JUVENILES MUST BE EXPANDED AND IMPROVED. (2) A MORATORIUM IS NEEDED ON THE BUILDING OF ADDITIONAL DETENTION CENTERS UNTIL AN EXAMINATION OF PRESENT UTILIZATION PRACTICES IS COMPLETED. (3) JAIL CERTIFICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETE AND ACCURATE TO DETERMINE THE SUITABILITY OF EACH FACILITY FOR JUVENILES. (4) ORIENTATION TRAINING FOR SUBSTITUTE JUDGES AND LAWYERS SERVING THE JUVENILE COURT IS NEEDED. OTHER SYSTEM NEEDS ARE UPGRADING THE VIRGINIA JUVENILE JUSTICE INFORMATION SYSTEM, SINCE COMPUTER CAPABILITIES AND STAFF HAVE BEEN LIMITED, AND DATA HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY RECORDED; ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR INTAKE OFFICERS IN ALL COURT SERVICE UNITS; AND EXPANDING MECHANISMS FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN ALL AGENCIES SERVING CHILDREN AND YOUTH. EXTENSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS ARE INCLUDED. CHARTS, TABLES, A GLOSSARY AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED.