NCJ Number
190545
Date Published
May 2001
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This report examined the utilization of juvenile detention, specifically pre-dispositional detention within the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) for fiscal year 2000 through an analysis of the agency's databases, a study of detention at 32 facilities, comments from the field, and a presentation of findings and innovative practices.
Abstract
This report on pre-dispositional juvenile detention home utilization provided important information about juveniles held in Virginia's detention homes. The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice undertook a three-fold approach to examine detention practices. These approaches were an analysis of fiscal year 2000 data from DJJ databases, a focused study of 32 localities, and interviews of key decisionmakers in the detention process. In the analyses of the fiscal year 2000 data, the highlighted findings included: (1) Virginia detained juveniles at a higher rate than the national average; (2) in FY 2000, technical violations represented 40 percent of detention admissions; (3) detention home capacity was expected to increase 59 percent between FY 2000 and 2003; (4) In FY 2000 detention utilization averaged 122 percent; (5) nine court service units were responsible for over 50 percent of the FY 2000 detention admissions; and (6) in FY 2000 about 75 percent of detention cases were released within 21 days. In the study of 32 localities, intake officers' decisions to detain or release juveniles prior to hearings before a judge were examined and information was collected on detained and released juveniles to determine the factors influencing the detention decision. The main findings were: (1) juveniles were more likely to be detained if they met certain conditions (i.e., under formal supervision, displayed negative attitude, incapable caregivers, risk of fleeing or failing to appear or pending felony charges); and (2) technical violators had a high likelihood of being detained, regardless of any new criminal offenses. In interviews conducted on key decisionmakers, major findings included: (1) initial detention placement decisions were heavily influenced by Code of Virginia criteria (i.e., community safety); and (2) decisions to release from detention were substantially the same as placement. In addition, the study identified several local and national policies and practices warranting recognition and consideration. Tables, graphs, charts, appendices, and references