NCJ Number
46687
Date Published
1978
Length
51 pages
Annotation
THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE VIRGINIA ADVISORY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE PLANNING AND DELIVERY OF SERVICES TO YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
ESTABLISHED IN 1972, THE COUNCIL HAS UNDERTAKEN A NUMBER OF POLICY STUDIES OF THE FAMILY COURT, DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND DIVERSION, PROBATION AND PAROLE, AND THE REHABILITATIVE SCHOOL AUTHORITY. A SURVEY OF JUVENILE AND CIRUCIT COURT JUDGES INDICATED A NUMBER OF ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF THE FAMILY COURT SYSTEM. A MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS FAVORED A MODIFIED FAMILY COURT STRUCTURE IN WHICH JURISDICTION OVER MATTERS OF ADOPTION, DIVORCE, AND CUSTODY IN THE JUVENILE COURT WOULD BE HANDLED AS IN A COURT OF RECORDS, WHILE OTHER MATTERS WOULD BE HANDLED AS BEFORE. MOST FELT THAT IF A FAMILY COURT SYSTEM WERE ADOPTED, ADDITIONAL SPACE AND FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES WOULD BE NECESSARY. AMONG THE BENEFITS OF ADOPTING A FAMILY COURT SYSTEM WOULD BE: ELIMINATION OF A DUPLICATION OF EFFORT IN BOTH THE JUVENILE AND CIRCUIT COURTS WHICH RESULTS IN COSTLY AND FRUSTRATING CUSTODY BATTLES; INCREASED ACCESSIBILITY AND GREATER PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN FAMILY PROBLEMS; AND ELIMINATION OF JUDICIAL SPLINTERING. POSSIBLE RESTRUCTURING COULD INVOLVE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FAMILY OR MODIFIED FAMILY COURT, OR THE CREATION OF A FAMILY LAW DIVISION WITHIN THE CIRCUIT COURT. EXISTING DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAMS IN VIRGINIA HAVE BEEN SHORTSIGHTED AND INADEQUATE. RECOMMENDATIONS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VIABLE SYSTEM OF EARLY IDENTIFICATION, PERIODIC DIAGNOSIS, AND SCREENING AND TESTING, PROVISION OF REMEDIAL SERVICES FOL ALL CHILDREN WITH HANDICAPPING CONDITIONS, JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION AND SERVICES REFERRAL FOR APPROPRIATE YOUTHS, FUNDING OF A PREVENTION AND DIVERSION PROGRAM, ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL ADVOCACY COMMISSIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR REFERRAL AND SERVICES COORDINATION, DEVELOPMENT OF 'INSCHOOL' SUSPENSION PROGRAMS, A STUDY OF STATE CHILD LABOR LAWS, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR INTERAGENCY COOPERATION. POTENTIAL PROBLEMS INVOLVED IN THE OPERATION OF A PROPOSED 200-BED FACILITY FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS ARE BRIEFLY DISCUSSED. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT RESENTENCING AND REVIEW MECHANISMS FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS CLARIFIED. A SURVEY OF STAFF MEMBERS OF THE REHABILITATIVE SCHOOL AUTHORITY (RSA) INDICATED THAT STAFF MEMBERS HAVE EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE JOB DISSATISFACTION. MAJOR CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS INCLUDED JOB LOCATION, SALARY, RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AGENCY, LACK OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, AND LACK OF SUFFICIENT INSERVICE TRAINING. FURTHER STUDY OF THE RSA IS TO BE UNDERTAKEN. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COMPOSITION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD INCLUDE CITIZEN MEMBERS FROM A VARIETY OF OCCUPATIONS AND THAT IT BE GIVEN AUTHORITY TO APPOINT A SUPERINTENDENT. THE COUNCIL BELIEVES THAT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE A PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO THE REHABILITATION AND POTENTIAL SUCCESS OF YOUNG PERSONS. APPENDIXES CONTAIN QUESTIONNAIRES USED IN THE STUDIES, A SUMMARY OF RESPONSES, AND PERTINENT CORRESPONDENCE. (JAP)