NCJ Number
149427
Date Published
1989
Length
88 pages
Annotation
This report examines current State policies regarding juvenile records access and proposes means whereby youth- serving agencies may have access to these records based on their need-to-know information that will help them better serve youth and protect society.
Abstract
The first part of the report discusses juvenile record sharing and confidentiality. It supports the need for information management that closely monitors juvenile records confidentiality and disclosure. Confidentiality protects a youth's right to privacy, avoids stigmatization, and allows the processes of education and rehabilitation to occur. Disclosure, however, is warranted to ensure that needed services and supervision will be provided and that school and community safety will be served. The authors conclude that information management by interagency child- serving professionals requires policies that ensure compliance with applicable statutes. They also must recognize the need for cooperation by seeking or granting access to information when warranted. Information management must strike a proper balance between confidentiality and disclosure to avoid information "territorialism." The report suggests eight steps for an interagency group to follow in the development of information-management policies. The report also provides a State-by-State analysis of juvenile records statutes. Appended use-of-State-statute tables, a model juvenile records code, model legislation, and sample forms for records disclosure.