NCJ Number
59358
Date Published
1979
Length
61 pages
Annotation
UNDER PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW JUVENILE JUSTICE LEGISLATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE MUST KEEP TRACK OF ALL FACILITIES THAT HOLD CHILDREN. THE SYSTEM ESTABLISHED FOR THIS MONITORING IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN PENNSYLVANIA THE COUNTIES PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN THE DELIVERY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND ARE ALSO THE BASIC CRIMINAL JUSTICE UNIT. ALTHOUGH ADULT AND JUVENILE COURTS AND JAILS ARE FUNDED ALMOST ENTIRELY BY THE COUNTY, WHICH PROVIDES A DEGREE OF FISCAL AUTONOMY FROM THE STATE, JUVENILE COURTS RECEIVE SUBSTANTIAL SUMS FROM THE STATE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS. PENNSYLVANIA ALSO HAS A LARGE NUMBER OF PRIVATE FACILITIES WHICH PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR DEPENDENT AND DELINQUENT CHILDREN. IN 1976 THE LEGISLATURE PASSED ACT 148, SIGNIFICANTLY REORGANIZING THE STATE'S YOUTH FUNDING CHANNELS. IN 1977 IT AMENDED THE 1972 PENNSYLVANIA JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT TO BRING THE HANDLING OF STATUS OFFENDERS AND THE SEPARATION OF ADULT AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ACT OF 1974. UNDER THIS NEW LEGISLATION THE HANDLING OF STATUS OFFENDERS IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE COURT TO PUBLIC WELFARE PERSONNEL WHEREVER POSSIBLE. IN ADDITION, THE STATE WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ALL COUNTY AND PRIVATE AGENCIES HOLDING CHILDREN AND MUST APPROVE FUNDING. A MONITORING SYSTEM IS PLANNED THAT WILL USE REDESIGNED COMPUTERIZED COURT CARDS TO TRACE EACH CHILD'S STATUS, REPORTS PREPARED FROM THESE CARDS, AND ON-SITE ANNUAL MONITORING AND INSPECTION VISITS. THIS MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL. APPENDIXES CONTAIN SAMPLES OF THE FORMS TO BE USED, NOTES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY.