NCJ Number
61363
Date Published
1979
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT TO CONGRESS STATES THAT LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN IMPLEMENTING THE COORDINATION AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION PROVISIONS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ACT.
Abstract
THE ACT SUGGESTS THAT LEAA ASSUME A LEADERSHIP ROLE AND PROVIDE DIRECTION AND GUIDANCE TO DELINQUENCY-RELATED PROGRAMS. AFTER REVIEWING WHAT LEAA HAS DONE TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE LAW, THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE STATES THAT (1) LEAA'S ANNUAL REPORTS HAVE BEEN OF LITTLE VALUE IN PROVIDING A COMPREHENSIVE PICTURE OF THE FEDERAL DELINQUENCY EFFORT, (2) LEAA FUNDED FEW INTERAGENCY PROJECTS, (3) THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS HAD LITTLE IMPACT ON FEDERAL JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROGRAM POLICIES OR PRIORITIES, AND (4) THE COORDINATING COUNCIL HAS NOT MET REGULARLY AS REQUIRED AND DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE STAFF SUPPORT. MOREOVER, GAO FOUND THAT USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TREATMENT AND CONTROL OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS IS STILL LACKING. GAO RECOMMENDS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DIRECT LEAA TO ASSUME THE LEADERSHIP ROLE THAT WAS EXPECTED OF IT WHEN THE ACT WAS PASSED. THEREFORE LEAA SHOULD CATALOG THE OVERALL FEDERAL EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A MEANINGFUL BASIS FOR COORDINATION; ENCOURAGE ADDITIONAL INTERAGENCY PROJECTS DEALING WITH KEY YOUTH ISSUES; AND PROVIDE THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE COORDINATING COUNCIL WITH THE DIRECTION AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THEIR MANDATED RESPONSIBILITIES. THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET (OMB) SHOULD MONITOR CLOSELY LEAA EFFORTS TO COORDINATE FEDERAL JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PROGRAMS AND ESTABLISH A WORKING COMMITTEE TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE COORDINATION ISSUE. AN APPENDIX CONTAINS COMMENTS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. (MJW)