NCJ Number
128837
Date Published
1986
Length
72 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the operation of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Federal legislation relating to juvenile justice and delinquency prevention concludes that the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 is an effective piece of legislation, but that substantive changes are essential if its mandates are to be realized.
Abstract
Current problems include excessive numbers of youths detained in jails or in inappropriate facilities and inadequate education and training for juvenile justice practitioners. To address these and other problems Congress should mandate the establishment of a permanent policy board to oversee the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, change the law to ensure compliance with policies established by the new board, and provide adequate resources to State advisory groups. In addition, the Office should adopt a 3-year planning cycle and should place highest priority on research on differential incarceration rates of minority juveniles, the increasing numbers of mentally ill youth in the juvenile justice system, and improved techniques for screening for risk. List of chairpersons of State advisory groups