NCJ Number
84162
Date Published
1982
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Changes in the characteristics (sex, ethnicity, commitment offense, etc.) of youths placed under the supervision of the California Youth Authority from 1972 throught 1981 are highlighted.
Abstract
The percentage of female first commitments declined from 9 percent in 1972 to 4 percent in 1978 and has remained at that level over the past 4 years. Juvenile court commitments declined to 53 percent in 1981. More than 50 percent of all commitments have consistently been from Southern California. The proportion of violent offenses has climbed steadily from 30 percent in 1972 to a high of 63 percent in 1980. Commitments of minority groups have increased from 52 percent of the total to a high of 68 percent. Age at commitment has been fairly stable, with a median of approximately 18 years. Wards with prior escapes from custody averaged 11 percent of the total commitments. The proportion of wards under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offense was 25 percent in 1981, and the proportion who use alcohol excessively was 21 percent. Almost 75 percent of the wards were living in their parents' home at the time of the commitment offense. Tables are provided. (Author summary modified)