NCJ Number
92635
Date Published
1983
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This layperson's guide to achieving change in the juvenile justice system focuses on identifying problems, investigating, and framing issues; public meetings; meetings with public officials; use of the media; administrative procedures; and preparing for litigation.
Abstract
The opening section discusses how to obtain information about problems with the juvenile justice system, how to develop issues in order to accomplish goals, and how to identify supporters. Questions that should be answered in the investigation of an identified problem are listed, and four components involved in framing issues are noted: identifying the problem, identifying the victim, identifying those responsible, and identifying the solution. The public meeting is discussed as a useful organizing tool, with attention given to publicity and conducting the meeting. In providing guidance for meetings with public officials, the discussion focuses on private vs. public meetings, principles for approaching a meeting, and considerations during and after the meeting. Guidelines for using the media cover developing a press contact list, the press statement, and the press conference. Administrative procedures, defined as appeals to a representative of an administrative agency, are considered under the topics of the complaint investigation, the administrative hearing, and finding out about administrative remedies. Preparation for litigation is discussed under the topics of preliminary work, choosing an attorney, the advocate's role in litigation, and monitoring the settlement. The appendix contains material that may be helpful in inspecting institutions, including an article on inspecting jails and forms to use in recording information from jail inspections.