NCJ Number
56371
Date Published
1978
Length
194 pages
Annotation
THIS OVERVIEW OF THE CONNECTICUT JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM RECOMMENDS CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARDS TO HELP THE POLICE, CONTINUING EVALUATION OF EXISTING PROGRAMS, UNIFORM JUVENILE COURT POLICIES, AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES.
Abstract
COMPREHENSIVE REFORMS ARE PROPOSED FOR ALL FACETS OF THE HANDLING OF JUVENILES IN TROUBLE. THE RECOMMENDATIONS BEGIN WITH ADEQUATE TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND WRITTEN GUIDELINES FOR THE HANDLING OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS. PRIVATE GROUPS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO SET UP SHELTERS FOR STATUS OFFENDERS AND JUVENILE REVIEW BOARDS SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO HELP THE POLICE DECIDE ON THE BEST COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE IN JUVENILE CASES. CONNECTICUT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE JUVENILE COURT DISTRICTS AND OPERATING POLICIES AMONG THEM VARY CONSIDERABLY. THE COURT REFORM PROPOSALS INCLUDE ESTABLISHING UNIFORM JUVENILE RULES AND PROCEDURES, ESTABLISHING A SPECIAL CATEGORY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS WHO ARE OVER AGE 16 (THE STATUTORY LIMIT FOR JUVENILES) BUT ARE NOT YET 18; AND SPELLING OUT IN DETAIL THE CONDITIONS FOR TRANSFER TO ADULT CRIMINAL COURT. THE COURTS SHOULD ALSO RECOGNIZE THE HAZARDOUS NATURE OF DETENTION CENTER WORK AND UPGRADE THE JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND SALARIES OF DETENTION STAFF. NUMEROUS SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR THE VARIOUS STATE JUVENILE CORECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. A NUMBER OF ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION HAVE BEEN TRIED DURING THE PAST DECADE BUT EVALUATION HAS BEEN SPORADIC. THE SECTION ON ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION RECOMMENDS GOOD ONGOING EVALUATION EFFORTS, LICENSING OF PRIVATE GROUPS WHICH PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE STATE, INCREASED PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE CAUSED BY JUVENILES, AND GREATER COORDINATION BETWEEN JUVENILE COURT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES. THE STUDY IS DOCUMENTED WITH STATISTICS, APPENDICES, AND REFERENCES. (GLR)