NCJ Number
200327
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2003 Pages: 9-14
Editor(s)
Susan L. Clayton M.S.
Date Published
May 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This report presents national survey results on juvenile offenders, juvenile facilities, juvenile programs, and problems for the year 2002.
Abstract
In June 2002, there were more than 22,000 juvenile offenders in the custody of the 22 United States correctional facilities responding to this survey on juvenile offenders. In 1993, there were 95 secure juvenile facilities among the 28 reporting respondents and in 2002, there were 169 juvenile facilities among the 22 reporting systems. Academic courses have and continue to be a primary program offered in juvenile facilities during the last decade. During this reporting period, there was an increase in mental health, counseling, and life skills training programs. Prominent programs were seen in sex offender treatment and parenting skills. Additional programs added during the reporting period to help prepare youths for their return to the community included expressive art therapy, sexual health education, restorative justice, relapse prevention, wilderness therapy, alcoholics anonymous, chemical awareness, family visits and therapy, victim empathy, gang intervention, and arson tendency treatment. Problem areas identified by respondents included: lack of programs, lack of staff, discipline, gangs, time in institution, and inadequate outside resources. Inadequate outside resources was cited most often. Due to budget constraints, the next decade may show a decline in the juvenile offender population with the development of community programs. Tables