NCJ Number
191069
Date Published
July 2000
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This is an executive summary of an evaluation of the Richmond City, VA, continuum of juvenile justice services pilot program.
Abstract
The continuum was designed to provide adjudicated youth in Richmond a wide range of community-based programs and services, and a series of graduated sanctions that increase in intensity as the number and severity of offenses increase. The evaluation examined both continuum processes and procedures and program outcomes. Evaluators reviewed participants' Court and Court Service Unit records, program attendance and participant records, and supplementary criminal record data. In addition, evaluators conducted surveys of juvenile justice professionals, continuum juveniles, and their parents or guardians. The continuum has had some positive effects on the Richmond City juvenile justice system, especially as rated by program participants and juvenile justice professionals involved with the programs. Participation in the continuum may reduce the seriousness of subsequent charges. The continuum has maintained juveniles in the community and reduced the number of Richmond youth being committed to the State juvenile justice system. However, some basic measures of program success, such as program graduation rates and recidivism after leaving the continuum, indicate problem areas that require significant improvement. In many instances, programs were not operating as a series of escalating graduated sanctions as intended. Finally, most continuum programs used some treatment strategies known to be ineffective. Evaluators recommended that the 2000 General Assembly continue funding the continuum during the 2000-2002 biennium. Evaluators also presented specific recommendations for several areas where program administration and outcomes may be improved. Figure