NCJ Number
69510
Date Published
1976
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE REPORT SUMMARIZES THE HISTORY, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A STATEWIDE EVALUATION OF WISCONSIN'S JUVENILE DETENTION SYSTEM CONDUCTED IN 1975.
Abstract
IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT INADEQUATE STANDARDS GOVERNING JUVENILE DETENTION, A COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE STATE FAMILY SERVICE AND CORRECTIONS AGENCIES WAS FORMED IN 1972. THIS GROUP REVIEWED THE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS AND THEN ESTABLISHED A STEERING COMMITTEE IN 1974 WITH WIDE REPRESENTATION FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A STATE PLAN FOR DETENTION OF PERSONS UNDER 18 YEARS. INITIALLY, THIS COMMITTEE HIRED A TEMPORARY RESEARCH STAFF TO COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA ON CURRENT DETENTION FACILITIES AND PRACTICES. BETWEEN APRIL AND AUGUST 1975 INFORMATION WAS COLLECTED FROM MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND WERE INTERVIEWED. THE STUDY FOUND THAT MOST YOUTHS AWAITING COURT ACTION WERE HELD IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND FREQUENTLY PLACED IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. DETENTION WAS USED NOT ONLY FOR DELINQUENTS, BUT ALSO FOR STATUS OFFENDERS AND CHILDREN ALLEGED TO BE DEPENDENT OR NEGLECTED BECAUSE OF FAMILY PROBLEMS. RATES OF DETENTION WERE HIGHER FOR STATUS OFFENDERS THAN FOR DELINQUENTS AND FOR FEMALES COMPARED TO MALES. MINORITY YOUTH WERE DETAINED DISPROPORTIONATELY MORE THAN WHITES IN RELATION TO THEIR PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION. DETENTION PRACTICES VARIED WIDELY AMONG COUNTIES. MOST LACKED SCREENING PROCEDURES FOR INITIAL ADMISSIONS AND ALTERNATIVES TO SECURE DETENTION. MANY JUVENILES WERE NOT GIVEN DETENTION HEARINGS OR SUCH HEARINGS WERE DELAYED FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS AFTER CONFINEMENT. LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR YOUTHS AT HEARINGS OFTEN WAS EITHER NONEXISTENT OR INADEQUATE. AFTER A SERIES OF PUBLIC MEETINGS, THE STEERING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS IN FIVE AREAS OF THE DETENTION SYSTEM: INTAKE, DUE PROCESS, FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS, FINANCING, AND ADMINISTRATION. INTAKE AND DUE PROCESS PROCEDURES WERE DETAILED, AND IMPROVED RELATIONS BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN FINANCE, COMMUNICATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATION WERE RECOMMENDED.