NCJ Number
19492
Date Published
1975
Length
89 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF THE STATE'S RATE OF JUVENILE DETENTION, THE NEED FOR SECURE DETENTION, AND ALTERNATIVES TO JUVENILE DETENTION.
Abstract
THE GOALS OF THIS STUDY WERE TO DEVELOP CRITERIA FOR TEMPORARY DETENTION OF CHILDREN, TO IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE PROGRAMS THAT SERVE AS ALTERNATIVES TO TEMPORARY DETENTION, AND TO DEVELOP YARDSTICKS FOR DETERMINING DETENTION BED NEEDS. STUDY STAFF ANALYZED VARIOUS REPORTS, SURVEYS AND PROJECTS ON THE SUBJECT AND COORDINATED EFFORTS WITH OTHER CONCURRENT STUDIES. IN ADDITION, A SPECIAL ONE-MONTH, NINE-COUNTY SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN WHICH EVERY JUVENILE ARRESTED IN THE SELECTED JURISDICTIONS WERE TRACKED AND FOLLOWED THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DETENTION AND JUVENILE COURT HEARING. ON-SITE VISITS WERE ALSO MADE TO ALTERNATIVE-TO-DETENTION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. STUDY RESULTS SHOWED THAT CALIFORNIA DETAINED PROPORTIONATELY THREE TIMES MORE DELINQUENT CHILDREN THAN THE AVERAGE FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, AND THAT 40 PER CENT OF THESE CHILDREN HAD COMMITTED NO CRIMINAL OFFENSE. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED A MORATORIUM ON NEW JUVENILE HALL CONSTRUCTION, AN IMMEDIATE 75 PER CENT REDUCTION IN RESIDENT POPULATION LEVELS, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ALTERNATIVE-TO-DETENTION PROGRAMS, SUCH AS HOME DETENTION, TEMPORARY SHELTER HOMES, GROUP HOMES, AND NON-SECURE INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES. IT WAS ALSO SUGGESTED THAT COUNTIES PROVIDE ONE SECURE BED AND ONE NON-SECURE BED FOR EACH 1,920 OF ITS 13-17 POPULATION. A LIST OF SUGGESTED READINGS IS INCLUDED AT THE END OF THIS REPORT.