JUVENILE DETENTION IN NORTH CAROLINA - A STUDY REPORT

• NCJ Number: 25059
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 121 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: North Carolina Dept of Social Services
• Corporate Author: National Juvenile Detention Assoc
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF THE EIGHT EXISTING JUVENILE DETENTION HOMES IN NORTH CAROLINA, ASSESSING SUCH FACTORS AS PHYSICAL FACILITIES, PERSONNEL, PROGRAMS, DETENTION POLICY, BUDGETS, AND PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE PURPOSE OF THIS SURVEY WAS (A) TO EVALUATE EXISTING DETENTION PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES, (B) TO EXAMINE POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES TO SECURE DETENTION, (C) TO EXAMINE RELATIONSHIPS WHICH EXIST BETWEEN JUVENILE DETENTION AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS AND (D) TO DEVELOP BASIC DATA NECESSARY FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE LONG RANGE PLANNING BY THE STATE AND LOCAL COMMITTEES IN NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE HANDLING OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IN SECURE CUSTODY INSTITUTIONS -- JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS -- WHILE THEY AWAITED COURT DISPOSITION OF THEIR CASES. THE STUDY SHOWED THAT CONFINEMENT OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 IN JAIL CELLS PENDING JUVENILE COURT HEARINGS IS PREVALENT IN MANY COUNTIES DUE TO THE LACK OF JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES AND THE LACK OF ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF HANDLING ALLEDGED DELINQUENT AND UNDISCIPLINED CHILDREN. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT BUDGETARY APPROPRIATIONS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROGRAMS AND STANDARDS OF CARE IN A MAJORITY OF THE EXISTING JUVENILE DETENTION HOMES. DETENTION OF CHILDREN REFERRED TO THE COURT FOR UNDISCIPLINED BEHAVIOR AS A DISCIPLINARY OR REMEDIAL PROCEDURE IN CASES WHERE SECURE CUSTODY IS NOT OTHERWISE REQUIRED, WAS FOUND TO BE A MAJOR FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO EXCESSIVE RATES OF DETENTION IN MANY COUNTIES. THE STUDY SHOWED THAT INORDINATELY HIGH RATES OF DETENTION AND OF COMMITMENTS TO THE STATE TRAINING SCHOOLS REFLECTED A CONSPICUOUS LACK OF DIAGNOSTIC AND TREATMENT SERVICES FOR CHILDREN IN MANY COMMUNITIES. THE SURVEY RESULTS ALSO INDICATED THAT MANY COUNTIES DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PROBATION SERVICES AND THAT NOTICEABLE INCONSISTENCIES IN THE DISPOSITION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS OCCURRED DUE TO THE ROTATION SYSTEM OF DISTRICT COURT JUDGES HEARING JUVENILE CASES. RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING SECURE DETENTION FACILITIES, MINIMUM STANDARDS, COMMUNITY-BASED ALTERNATIVES, COURT COUNSELOR SERVICES, AND LEGISLATION ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)