NCJ Number
104839
Date Published
Unknown
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This summary report reviews the achievements of the National Jail Removal Initiative (JRI), a program of the Federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention designed to remove juveniles from rural adult jails in compliance with the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
Abstract
Phase I of the JRI consisted of planning for jail removal in the 23 targeted jurisdictions. This involved the development of objective placement criteria, the formulation of a policy to place each juvenile in the least restrictive setting possible, and consultation with youth advocates about proposed changes in juvenile placement. Phase I also involved a needs assessment to determine how existing placement facilities were being used and what resources were required to remove juveniles from adult jails and place them in appropriate settings. The needs assessment found that juveniles, in most cases, were either placed in adult jails or released, with juvenile status offenders being consistently jailed. Phase II involved the implementation of plans to remove juveniles from adult facilities and either place them in secure facilities for juveniles only or in alternative community programs. By the end of the JRI program, 8 of the 23 jurisdictions reduced the number of juvenile jailings to 0 by the end of the project, and of the remaining jurisdictions, all but 1 reduced jailings between 23 and 98 percent. There was no consequent increase in juvenile pretrial reoffending or failure to appear at hearings. 4 tables.