NCJ Number
36561
Date Published
1976
Length
80 pages
Annotation
REPORT OF A PANEL APPOINTED BY THE NEW YORK GOVERNOR IN JUNE 1975 TO STUDY THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE VIOLENCE AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
Abstract
THE STUDY WAS SUBDIVIDED INTO FOUR INDIVIDUAL TASK FORCES CONDUCTING SEPARATE BUT RELATED INVESTIGATIONS. TASK FORCE I WAS CHARGED WITH DETERMINING THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE VIOLENCE. AFTER GATHERING INFORMATION FROM FBI REPORTS AND VARIOUS STATE AGENCIES CONCERNING ADJUDICATED JUVENILES, THEY CONCLUDED THAT ALTHOUGH JUVENILE VIOLENCE HAD INCREASED DURING THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT AS SERIOUS AS REPORTED. TASK FORCE II CONSIDERED THE ISSUES OF LABELS AND CATEGORIES FOR CHILDREN AND PUBLIC INTERVENTION IN THE CHILDRENS LIVES BASED ON THOSE CATEGORIES AND LABELS. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE PANEL FOCUS ON IDENTIFICATION OF JUVENILES WHO HAD COMMITTED VIOLENT OFFENSES RATHER THAN APPLYING LABELS. THE NEW YORK STATE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS EXAMINED BY TASK FORCE III THROUGH INTERVIEWS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, COURT, CORRECTIONAL, MENTAL HEALTH, AND WELFARE OFFICIALS. A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH EXECUTIVE ACTION RESULTED. TASK FORCE IV REVIEWED LITERATURE ABOUT PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS, CONNECTICUT, MAINE, AND CALIFORNIA AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY'S MODEL SENTENCING ACT AND OTHER NATIONAL PUBLICATIONS TO PROVIDE A BACKGROUND FOR COMPARISON OF SYSTEMS. COPIES OF TASK FORCE REPORTS ARE APPENDED.