Removing Juveniles From Adult Jails: The Unfinished Agenda (From American Jails: Public Policy Issues, P 216-226, 1991, Joel A Thompson and G Larry Mays, eds. -- See NCJ-165482)

• NCJ Number: 165495
• Author(s): I M Schwartz
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Nelson-Hall Publishers
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After a brief review of the history of removing children from adult correctional facilities, this chapter considers the Federal Government's role in removing juveniles from adult jails and lockups and offers recommendations for addressing this problem.

Abstract

Although there is a critical shortage of jail space for adult offenders, approximately 1,700 jail beds are occupied on any day by juveniles, who, by and large, are not serious law violators. They are youth who could be released without significantly increasing the risk to the community, provided that objective detention intake criteria are used and appropriate community-based alternatives are provided. Moreover, juvenile jailing could be eliminated if these options were combined with the development of secure detention facilities for those youth who pose a clear and substantial threat to the community. The most effective way to eliminate the jailing of juveniles is to enact legislation that prohibits the practice under any circumstances. Experience has also shown that there are a variety of policies and community-based alternatives to jailing that can be used without increasing the risk to the community. A comprehensive needs assessment should be conducted to determine how many secure beds may be needed in a particular jurisdiction or jurisdictions for those dangerous juveniles who require secure detention.