NCJ Number
59080
Date Published
1978
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THIS ANNUAL REPORT PRESENTS ACTIVITIES OF THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF., JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT DURING FISCAL YEAR 1977-1978.
Abstract
DEPARTMENT SERVICES INCLUDED DETENTION, DIVERSION, PROBATION, PREVENTION, PROTECTION, INVESTIGATION, AND REHABILITATION. STATUS OFFENSE REFERRALS DECLINED 68 PERCENT IN COMPARISON TO THE YEARS BEFORE IMPLEMENTATION OF RECENT JUVENILE LEGISLATION. COURT PETITIONS, CONTINUANCES, AND CONTESTED CASES HAVE NECESSITATED INCREASED DOCUMENT PREPARATION BY PROBATION OFFICERS AND CLERICAL STAFF. A TOTAL OF 6,821 CASES WERE DIVERTED DURING THE YEAR. SINCE 1972-73, SUBSTANCE ABUSE REFERRALS HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED. DURING THE PAST YEAR, 46 PERCENT OF THESE REFERRALS WERE ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS, AND 40 PERCENT WERE MARIHUANA VIOLATIONS. THERE WERE 10,284 NEW DELINQUENT AND STATUS OFFENSE REFERRALS, OF WHICH 53 PERCENT WERE SETTLED AT INTAKE. THE AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION AT JUVENILE HALL HAS INCREASED STEADILY OVER THE PAST 5 YEARS, DUE TO INCREASED NUMBERS OF CONTINUANCES, JUVENILES AWAITING PLACEMENTS AT GROUP HOMES, FOSTER HOMES, OR RANCHES, AND PLACEMENTS OR COMMITMENTS OF JUVENILES BY THE COURT. THE AVERAGE CASELOAD PER PROBATION OFFICER WAS 72 JUVENILES ON JUNE 30, 1978. THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF THE 3 RANCHES PROVIDING REHABILITATION WAS 240. PROTECTIVE SERVICES INCLUDED HANDLING 2,966 REFERRALS FOR ABUSED AND NEGLECTED MINORS, SUPERVISING 304 FAMILIES, AND HANDLING 718 PLACEMENT CASES. SPECIAL PROGRAMS INCLUDED 21,297 DRIVER IMPROVEMENT HEARINGS, A JUVENILE COURT WORK PROGRAM, A NONSECURE SHELTER CARE PROGRAM, 25,000 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEER HOURS, AND 3,400 GROUP VOLUNTEER HOURS. TABLES PRESENT CASELOADS, FINANCES, AND REFERRAL CATEGORIES. (CFW)