NCJ Number
179965
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 14 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 1999 Pages: 73-86
Date Published
1999
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Recognizing that the increasing number of detained youth and long detention periods have required expansion of the custodial capacity in several Canadian provinces, this study examined factors that led to variations in detention lengths in Saskatchewan.
Abstract
The study looked at the entire population of incarcerated youth in Saskatchewan's three youth detention facilities on two separate days--July 15, 1997, and January 15, 1998. For 129 youths detained in custody on these two dates, detention length was calculated from their initial admission to their discharge or sentencing. Youths from rural areas, males, and violent offenders were detained the longest. Almost 10 percent of the sample served detention periods in excess of 6 months, while 3 youths served detention periods exceeding 465 days. The long-term detained youths presented considerable challenges for detention center practitioners. Economic, social, and policy implications of the study findings are discussed. 35 references, 2 notes, 2 tables, and 1 figure