NCJ Number
72690
Date Published
1980
Length
108 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the first year of a new Maine Juvenile Code (which became effective July 1, 1978) reports its effects upon the Juvenile Justice System and efforts of the Department of Mental Health and Corrections toward prevention of juvenile crime and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders.
Abstract
The new Juvenile Code is based on the principle that the family, the most appropriate social unit for guiding juvenile behavior, exists within a larger social organization whose well-being must also be considered. Thus, the Code intends to decrease the number of juveniles processed through the courts by the decriminalization of some acts (e.g. running away from home), and the creation of alternatives to detention. To this end, the Intake Worker and the intake process were established to deal with all juveniles with whom investigative process Intake Workers decide which cases could be appropriately handled without involving the court system. The core of the diversionary options available to the Intake Worker rests with informal adjustment which includes cash or service restitution, attending school or being employed, and counseling. The successful completion rate of this program is 98 percent. However, as a result of the new Code, and increasingly efficient law enforcement there has been an increase in the number of arrests. Moreover, secure detentions of juvenile offenders have substantially increased since the Code. An historical summary of the Code, and an overview of Maine crime are provided. The Bureau of Corrections, and Department of Mental Health and Corrections' prevention plan for 1980 are described. The probation program, activities of the Maine Youth Center and characteristics of youth detained there are also described. Tabular and graphic data and an executive summary are provided.