OHIO - ATTORNEY GENERAL'S JUVENILE JUSTICE TASK FORCE JUSTICE FOR OUR CHILDREN - FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 54151
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 222 pages
• Corporate Author: Ohio Office of the Attorney General
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RECOMMENDATIONS OF A TASK FORCE ESTABLISHED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IN OHIO TO CONSIDER THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED.

Abstract

THE TASK FORCE REPORT PROVIDES THREE SEPARATE BUT INTERDEPENDENT SETS OF STATEMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE FIRST SET WHICH CONCERNS THE RATIONALE FOR CHANGE AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: (1) DEDICATION TO THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN, TO THE CARE AND TRAINING OF CHILDREN, AND TO THE INHERENTLY UNIQUE NATURE AND DIGNITY OF EACH CHILD; AND (2) CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM (EFFECTIVENESS, EFFICIENCY, AND FAIRNESS). THE SECOND SET DEALS WITH OVERALL GOALS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE, CHILD CARE, AND YOUTH SERVICES: (1) REORGANIZE AT THE CABINET LEVEL ALL STATE SERVICES TO JUVENILES, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH INTO A SINGLE AGENCY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH; AND (2) REORDER PRIORITIES AND REALLOCATE RESOURCES IN JUVENILE CORRECTIONS AWAY FROM STATE INSTITUTIONS AND COURTS AND TOWARD DIVERSE COMMUNITY, LOCAL AND REGIONAL YOUTH SERVICES, PROGRAMS, FACILITIES, AND OPPORTUNITIES. THE THIRD SET FOCUSES ON IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES TO ASSURE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF JUVENILES AND FOR TREATING JUVENILES AND TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY: (1) CLOSE AN ANTIQUATED SCHOOL FOR BOYS; AND (2) ENACT A BROAD OMNIBUS JUVENILE REFORM ACT TO AMEND EXISTING VAGUE CHILD LAWS, TO GOVERN JUVENILE COURTS IN PERSONAM JURISDICTION, TO PERMIT LEGAL EMANCIPATION OF A SMALL MINORITY OF JUVENILES WHO MEET STIPULATED CRITERIA, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES FOR STATUS OFFENDERS, TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR LOCAL JUVENILE DETENTION, TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN LAWS SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY JAILS FOR JUVENILES, AND TO ESTABLISH MAXIMUM SENTENCES FOR JUVENILES COMMITTED TO STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND INVESTIGATE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO SENTENCING AND TREATMENT CONSISTENT WITH THE EMERGING RIGHT TO TREATMENT DOCTRINE IN JUVENILE LAW. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED, AND FURTHER INFORMATION ON JUVENILE JUSTICE IS APPENDED. (DEP)