Restructuring Youth Corrections Systems: A Guide for Policymakers

• NCJ Number: 139938
• Author(s): I M Schwartz; E J Loughran
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 22 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services; University of Michigan
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The experiences of Utah and Massachusetts in developing sound youth corrections programs are reported to help policymakers in other States improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their systems.

Abstract

Overall goals of youth corrections include offender accountability and punishment, public safety protection and risk control, and competency development. In order to evaluate youth corrections in Massachusetts, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency tracked 820 Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) youth over a 4 year period. This study found that Massachusetts had been more successful in reducing crime among juveniles than other States studied, citing a 23 percent recidivism rate for youth compared with a 62 percent recidivism rate for youth released from California institutions. The Massachusetts youth corrections system includes small, secure treatment programs for serious offenders and a diverse array of community-based residential and nonresidential programs for less serious offenders. This network of programs is operated primarily by private providers under contract with the DYS, while the DYS operates several secure treatment and detention units for violent or serious offenders. Programs and services in the DYS continuum include secure treatment, secure detention, shelter care, transitional management programs, group homes, a homeward bound program, foster care, outreach and tracking, and health and other services. Juvenile probation services in Utah are administered under a statewide juvenile court system. Juvenile court judges meet regularly as a body and develop policies for probation services. Juveniles who are not eligible for probation, largely because of their current offenses and prior offense history, are committed to the custody of the Division of Youth Corrections (DYC). Service levels in the DYC continuum include community-based alternatives, observation and assessment programs, and secure treatment units. Factors responsible for the successful operation of youth corrections in Massachusetts and Utah are noted. Risk and needs assessment forms are appended. 12 references and 1 table