Reforming Juvenile Detention in Florida

• NCJ Number: 215833
• Author(s): Vanessa Patino, M.P.A.; Barry Krisberg, Ph.D.
• Date Published: August 2005
• Length: 37 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Jessie Ball duPont Fund
• Corporate Author: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Sale Source: National Council on Crime and Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Findings are presented from a study conducted by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) assessing the quality of care in juvenile detention facilities in Florida and how effectively resources are being used.

Abstract

Highlights of major findings include: (1) an overuse of detention facilities, one reason being that they are not adequately funding alternatives. Approximately 35 percent of all youth referred to the department are admitted to secure detention; (2) approximately 40 percent of all youth had experienced solitary confinement while in detention; most for less than 1 day; (3) living conditions (cleanliness, food, recreation activities) were perceived to be deficient by the majority of youth in detention; (4) most youth participated in the education program and many reported it to be a good program; (5) girls reported a higher need for medical care for an illness (50 percent compared with 29 percent of males); (6) many youth in detention reported emotional problems and high levels of drug use; few youth reported receiving counseling or substance abuse treatment; and (7) the only alternative to secure detention in Florida is home-detention for which there is little funding. In Florida and in other States, problems in juvenile detention have far-reaching implications. The National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) conducted an independent study to assess the quality of care in juvenile detention facilities in Florida, how effectively resources are being used, and recommendations to improve the quality of care. The study focused on four research questions: (1) what are the profiles of youth in detention; (2) are there any significant differences relative to gender and race/ethnicity regarding conditions; (3) what are the standards of operation in detention facilities across the State; and (4) what are the potential benefits for youth and taxpayers of using research-based alternatives to detention in Florida? NCCD interviewed 317 youth in secure detention, as well as a number of staff who worked at the selected facilities. Tables, figures, appendixes, and references