NCJ Number
63000
Date Published
1978
Length
95 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY PROVIDES A STATEWIDE OVERVIEW AND SYSTEM'S PERSPECTIVE OF THE FLORIDA YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAM DURING FISCAL YEAR 1977-78.
Abstract
YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS PERFORMED REASONABLY WELL, ALTHOUGH SOME POLICY CONCERNS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE SECURE DETENTION PROGRAM EXPERIENCED OVERCROWDING DURING THE STUDY PERIOD; THE NUMBER OF YOUTHS DETAINED IN THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES' DETENTION PROGRAMS IS EXCESSIVE IN TERMS OF NATIONAL STANDARDS AND COMPARISONS WITH THE RATES OF DETENTION IN OTHER STATES. ALSO, THE ATTENTION HOME COMPONENT OF THE NONSECURE DETENTION PROGRAM ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY IN CONTRACTING THE PROPER NUMBER OF BEDS AND KEEPING THEM OCCUPIED. YOUTHS REMAINED ON PROBATION CASELOADS HALF AGAIN AS LONG AS THE 6-MONTH STANDARD, LEADING TO HIGHER CASELOADS WITH A RESULTANT DETERIORATION OF SERVICES. FEMALES WERE UNDERREPRESENTED IN SEVERAL LESS RESTRICTIVE YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS, SUCH AS INTENSIVE COUNSELING, GROUP TREATMENT HOMES, AND HALFWAY HOUSES. ALSO, THE NUMBER OF BLACKS IN SOME YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS WAS FAR SMALLER THAN EXPECTED, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF BLACKS COMMITTED. SEVERAL PROGRAMS EXCEEDED THEIR BUDGETED LENGTHS TO STAY, AND FEW PROGRAMS MET THE STANDARD THAT 70 PERCENT OF PROGRAM EXITS BE FURLOUGHS OR TRANSFERS TO LESS RESTRICTIVE PROGRAMS. THE REPORT INCLUDES FOOTNOTES AND TABLES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--PRG)