NCJ Number
66486
Date Published
1979
Length
196 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DOCUMENTS THE JAILING OF CHILDREN IN FLORIDA IN ORDER TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM AND INCITE ACTION TO STOP THE PLACEMENT OF JUVENILES IN ADULT JAILS.
Abstract
THE PROBLEM IS INTRODUCED BY A PRESENTATION OF PHILOSOPHICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE JAILING OF CHILDREN. THE LEGAL INJUSTICES OF PLACING JUVENILES IN ADULT FACILITIES ARE DISCUSSED, AND THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DANGERS INHERENT IN SUCH PLACEMENT PRACTICES ARE EXPLAINED. A DELINEATION OF FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND FLORIDA LAW REVIEWS AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO THE CONFINEMENT OF CHILDREN IN JAILS AND THEIR MANDATORY SEPARATION FROM ADULT INMATES. FLORIDA PRACTICES ARE THEN DESCRIBED WITH ATTENTION TO THE TEMPORARY HOLDING PHASE OF JUVENILE PROCESSING DURING BOOKING AND QUESTIONING WHICH TAKES PLACE IN ADULT FACILITIES. THE NUMBER OF JUVENILES ENTERING FLORIDA'S JAILS FOR TEMPORARY HOLDING IS CITED, AND THE OPERATING PROCEDURES USED BY JAILERS DURING THIS PERIOD ARE EXAMINED. FURTHER, THE SITUATION OF JUVENILES DETAINED IN ADULT JAILS WHILE AWAITING HEARINGS OR TRIALS IS CONSIDERED. THE DISCUSSION TRACES THE FLOW OF THESE CHILDRN THROUGH JAILS AND PRESENTS THEIR PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND REASONS FOR JAIL PLACEMENT. JAILERS' PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING THEM IN EVERY ACTIVITY OCCURRING DURING JAIL CONFINEMENT ARE REVEALED. A SUMMARY OF THE DATA ON JAIL PROCEDURES AND CHILDREN'S STATISTICS ASSESSES THE LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND STATE LAW, CONCLUDING THAT FLORIDA HAS FAILED TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS. THE MANY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THIS FAILURE ARE ANALYZED IN CONCLUSION. THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS ON FLORIDA'S JAILS THAT LEAD TO NONCOMPLIANCE AND SYSTEMIC FACTORS FURTHER FACILITATE THE CONTINUING FLOW OF CHILDREN INTO JAILS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR A SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS. ILLUSTRATIONS AND TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY, FLORIDA STATUTES, A LISTING OF FLORIDA JAILS AND JUVENILE FACILITIES, WITH ESTIMATES OF THE NUMBER OF JUVENILES AFFECTED BY NONCOMPLIANCE, GUIDELINES FOR STATUS DECISION, A GLOSSARY, FOOTNOTES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)