NCJ Number
77497
Date Published
1977
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Findings and recommendations are reported from the Georgia Senate Study Committee on Status Offenses, initiated in 1977 to gain public input into the problems of deinstitutionalization of status offenders.
Abstract
To qualify for Federal funds under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, Georgia is required to pass legislation prohibiting the institutionalization of status offenders and providing for segregation of juveniles from adult offenders in local jails. The recommendations of the study committee bear upon the substance of such legislation. As a result of its findings, the committee reports that there is little, if any, justification for the detention of children in Georgia jails. In 1974, however, 702 status offenders were jailed. Moreover, the facts do not sustain the argument that most of these juveniles were held only briefly due to law enforcement manpower shortages; the average length of stay for these juveniles was 2.8 days. Based on the information collected and presented to it, the committee recommends that the juvenile court retain jurisdiction over status offenders; that 24-hour intake procedures be provided; that a maximum of 72 hours of detention be allowed before an informal detention hearing is held; that the placement of any status offender in a common jail or in any room of detention with adult offenders be prohibited; and that the facilities to be used for the detention of status offenders include only licensed foster homes or homes approved by the court, a facility operated by a licensed child welfare agency, or a detention home or center for delinquent children under the direct supervision of the court or other authorities approved by the court. General recommendations for future consideration are also offered. A copy of the proposed legislation to implement these recommendations is provided.