NCJ Number
73788
Date Published
1978
Length
100 pages
Annotation
This second volume of a two-volume report report presents data tables, figures, and commentary describing Oregon's juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Data were collected via a survey of the State's county juvenile department. Also, records were searched regarding commitments to the State training schools from the State's Children's Services Division and arrest figures from the Law Enforcement Data System. The study was conducted under a grant from the Oregon Law Enforcement Council. Findings have implications for at least three current issues: the sharp upward trend in commitments to the training schools, the increasing use of the juvenile justice system for minor offenses and problems, and the numbers of children, particularly status offenders, who are being detained in the State. The statewide increase in total juvenile arrests over the last decade was substantially higher than the increase in the risk population. Arrest rate per 1,000 risk population was consistently lower in urban counties than in rural counties. Juveniles were arrested mainly for property crimes. Although detention referrals and petitions increased between 1975 and 1977, total detentions decreased by 7 percent in the same period. At least half of the children referred to the juvenile departments were handled on an informal basis. Findings did not support the argument that overcrowding at training schools is caused by an increase in serious offenses. Findings also suggest that increased use of diversion and community based programs could have reduced the reliance on the juvenile justice system and the numbers of children in training schools. The study's main value is as a baseline measure against which future data may be compared. Extensive tables and figures are provided. For Volume I, see NCJ 53447. (Author abstract modified)