NCJ Number
93474
Date Published
1984
Length
27 pages
Annotation
The Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) reviews major OJJDP activities for fiscal year l983 and presents the Department of Justice's views on reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act, including a recommendation to eliminate the OJJDP.
Abstract
The witness first reviews the OJJDP's formula grants which were used primarily to deinstitutionalize status offenders and separate juveniles from adult offenders in correctional facilities. Also described are technical assistance efforts, new programs initiated by the Special Emphasis Division, and projects supported by the National Institute for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The statement then focuses on reasons why the Administration does not support reauthorization of Title II of the JJDP Act and would move functions of the OJJDP to a proposed Office of Justice Assistance. In this context, the OJJDP administrator states that deinstitutionalization of status offenders, a major aim of the JJDP Act, has been accomplished and its effects are not altogether positive. In particular, a study done by the American Justice Institute comparing deinstitutionalized and nondeinstitutionalized status offenders revealed no differences in recidivism. Other unwanted side effects include net widening and reduction of services to runaways. Moreover, delinquency programs supported by OJJDP have done little to prevent delinquency. Many States now treat both juvenile and adult chronic offenders in a similar fashion and should have Federal assistance that is not hampered by specific mandates. While OJJDP has done some good things, its programs do not warrant continuation of a separate office and budget. Materials documenting State compliance with JJDP Act deinstitutionalization requirements are appended.