ISSUE OF SECURITY IN A COMMUNITY-BASED SYSTEM OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS - FINAL REPORT, 1977

• NCJ Number: 44927
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 120 pages
• Corporate Author: Massachusetts Dept of Youth Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A MULTIPRONGED APPROACH TO SECURITY IS RECOMMENDED FOR MASSACHUSETTS' COMMUNITY-BASED JUVENILE CORRECTIONS PROGRAM, TO BALANCE PUBLIC PROTECTION AND YOUTH NEEDS.

Abstract

IN 1972 MASSACHUSETTS ABANDONED ITS CENTRAL INSTITUTION STYLE OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS FACILITIES AND SET UP, INSTEAD, A NETWORK OF COMMUNITY-BASED FACILITIES. THIS IS THE TASK FORCE EVALUATION OF SECURITY NEEDS FOR THESE FACILITIES. A PRELIMINARY REPORT RECOMMENDED ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES AND SECURITY POLICIES WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED. THESE HAVE PERMITTED POSITIVE PROBLEMSOLVING INSTEAD OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT AND HAVE UPGRADED THE INTAKE, ASSESSMENT, PLACEMENT AND REVIEW PROCEDURES. THIS FINAL REPORT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS: (1) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NONSECURE COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS SUITABLE FOR THE MAJORITY OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS; AND (2) SECURE PLACEMENTS REQUIRED BY A SMALL NUMBER OF YOUTH. THE SECURE PROGRAMS MUST HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED ADMISSIONS CRITERIA; THERE SHOULD BE A GRADUATED RANGE OF SECURE PLACEMENTS; AND SECURE FACILITIES MUST EXPEND AS MUCH EFFORT ON QUALITY OF PROGRAM AS THEY DO ON SECURITY OF THE FACILITY. IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT 11.2 PERCENT OF YOUTHS IN THE SYSTEM NEEDED SECURE PLACEMENT AND 25 PERCENT OF THESE SHOULD BE IN MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. ASSESSING THE JUVENILE'S NEED FOR SECURITY IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE SECURE PROGRAMS ARE MORE COSTLY THAN NONSECURE; A VIABLE PROGRAM IS MORE DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE IN A SECURE INSTITUTIONAL SETTING, AND HEAVY SECURITY HAS A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE YOUNG PERSON WHO DOES NOT NEED IT. A TEAM APPROACH WITH HEARINGS IS RECOMMENDED WHENEVER A CHANGE TO A MORE SECURE INSTITUTION IS PLANNED. ONCE NEEDS FOR PUBLIC SECURITY ARE MET, THE MASSACHUSETTS PROGRAM SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON IMPROVING STAFF QUALITY AND PROGRAM OFFERINGS. IN FISCAL YEAR 1977 SECURE PLACEMENTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR 2419 YOUTHS. THIS IS CALLED MORE THAN ADEQUATE FOR CURRENT NEEDS. AT PRESENT NEARLY 80 PERCENT OF YOUTHS IN SECURE PLACEMENT ARE BEING HELD PENDING APPEAL OR ADULT BIND-OVER PROCEEDINGS. IF ALTERNATIVES WERE FOUND FOR SUCH TEMPORARY RESIDENTS, MORE PROGRAM SLOTS COULD BE OPENED UP FOR THE JUVENILE DETAINEE IN NEED OF SECURITY, THUS ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR MORE SECURE PLACEMENT FACILITIES. A SERIES OF BUDGET AND ORGANIZATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE. AN APPENDIX DESCRIBES THE PROCESS THE TASK FORCE USED TO REACH ITS CONCLUSIONS. (GLR)