NCJ Number
39228
Date Published
1975
Length
68 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A STUDY, CONDUCTED BY THE STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, OF THE DETENTION OF CHILDREN BROUGHT BEFORE THE NEW YORK CITY FAMILY COURT BETWEEN JULY 1, 1973 AND JUNE 30, 1974.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION OF JUVENILE DETENTION IN NEW YORK STATE IS FOLLOWED BY A VRIEF HISTORY OF DETENTION IN NEW YORK CITY, AN OUTLINE OF THE PROCEDURES BY WHICH CHILDREN ARE PLACED IN SECURE AND NON-SECURE DETENTION, AND A DESCRIPTION OF SPOFFORD JUVENILE CENTER AND THE NON-SECURE DETENTION PROGRAM. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF DATA GATHERED ON JUVENILE DETAINEES DURING THE STUDY PERIOD REVEALED THAT OF THE 4246 CHILDREN IN DETENTION, 73 PERCENT WERE MALE, APPROXIMATELY ONE-THIRD WERE REPEATERS, AND ALMOST TWO-THIRDS WERE RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES FROM JUVENILE CENTER. AT LEAST HALF THE ADMISSIONS TO DETENTION RESULTED IN PAROLE OR PROBATION. MORE THAN HALF OF ALL DETAINEES WERE ONLY DETAINED OVERNIGHT OR OVER THE WEEKEND, AND THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 8.3 DAYS IN JUVENILE CENTER AND 46 DAYS IN NON-SECURE DETENTION. THE LOCATION OF THE JUVENILE CENTER, IT WAS FOUND, MADE IT INACCESSIBLE TO MANY PARENTS AND COMPLICATED THE TRANSPORT OF CHILDREN TO COURT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT JUDGES BE REQUIRED TO STATE ON A REMAND FORM THEIR REASONS FOR DETAINING A CHILD AND THAT POLICIES ON THE DETENTION OF JUVENILES BE REVIEWED TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DETENTIONS. THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL (24-BED MAXIMUM) FACILITIES LOCATED CLOSE TO THE COURT HOUSES IN EACH COUNTY AND THE SCHEDULING OF CASES OF CHILDREN IN SECURE DETENTION AHEAD OF OTHER CASES ARE ALSO SUGGESTED. A 20-ITEM BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED....ELW