NCJ Number
149962
Journal
Youth Studies Australia Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (Autumn 1994) Pages: 36- 39
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The importance of keeping juveniles out of custody is recognized by various United Nations (UN) standards, and Australia has focused its efforts on community-based juvenile corrections.
Abstract
UN standards include the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice, Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency, and Standard Minimum Rules for Non-Custodial Measures. Several reasons exist for internationally adopted standards and principles relative to juvenile justice, such as negative effects of custody on juveniles and higher costs for custodial versus community juvenile offender management. In Australia, the number of juveniles held in custody has declined in recent years, and efforts have instead focused on juvenile diversion, victim reparation and mediation, and family empowerment. The author also recommends more drug and alcohol services for juveniles, as well as adolescent psychiatric services, bail placements and bail hostels, outward bound and station placement schemes, placements for intellectually handicapped or brain-damaged serious offenders, meaningful community-based orders at the local level, vocational training, recreation, therapeutic casework, and reintegration into the community. Data on the number of juveniles detained in Australia are provided. 1 reference and 2 tables