NCJ Number
68343
Date Published
1977
Length
34 pages
Annotation
AN LEAA-FUNDED STUDY FOCUSING ON FLORIDA'S EXPERIENCE IN DEINSTITUTIONALIZING JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS IS PRESENTED; LEGISLATIVE HISTORY, SERVICE NEEDS, AND SERVICE DELIVERY ARE ADDRESSED.
Abstract
IN 1975, THE STATE OF FLORIDA ENACTED LEGISLATION WHICH REMOVED STATUS OFFENDERS FROM THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM BY REDEFINING THEM AS DEPENDENT CHILDREN AND PROFOUNDLY REORGANIZING THE STATE STRUCTURE FOR DELIVERING SERVICES TO YOUTH. FOR THIS STUDY, INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM A REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS AND FROM ONSITE INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH SUCH PERSONS AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE BUREAU OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING AND ASSISTANCE, PRIVATE SERVICE PROGRAM STAFF MEMBERS, AND COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH STAFF MEMBERS. THE STUDY IS DESIGNED TO DESCRIBE THE CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS SURROUNDING CHANGES IN STATE LAW AND PRACTICE WITH RESPECT TO STATUS OFFENDERS, DESCRIBE THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF DELIVERY SERVICES, PRESENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE IMPACT ON THE DEMANDS FOR SERVICES GENERATED BY THE REFORM, AND PRESENT COST INFORMATION. WHILE THE TOTAL POPULATION OF ALLEGED STATUS OFFENDERS, 36,000 IN 1974, IS CLEARLY SIGNIFICANT, THE NUMBERS ACTUALLY PLACED IN TRAINING SCHOOLS IS FAIRLY SMALL, I.E., 77 IN 1974. DECREASING NUMBERS OF STATUS OFFENDERS WERE ALSO RECORDED IN PROBATION ROLLS FOR 1975. ALL FIGURES INDICATE THAT OFFENDERS WERE MOVING OUT OF THE YOUTH SERVICES SYSTEM AS THE LEGISLATION HAD MANDATED. RUNAWAYS WERE MORE LIKELY TO BE DETAINED IN TRAINING SCHOOLS THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF STATUS OFFENDER. HOWEVER, IT NOW APPEARS THAT THOSE WHO ARE DETAINED IN TRAINING SCHOOLS ARE FUNNELED INTO AFTERCARE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. SERVICES NEEDS OF THE STATUS OFFENDER POPULATION WHICH WERE IDENTIFIED BY STATE OFFICIALS INCLUDE SHELTHER CARE FOR RUNAWAY YOUTH WHO REPRESENTED APPROXIMATELY 90 PERCENT OF THOSE DETAINED PRIOR TO LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, GROUP HOME RESOURCES, AND EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS. FOOTNOTES, TABLES, AND EXHIBITS ARE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY.