NCJ Number
63812
Date Published
1979
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS PAMPHLET DIRECTS AN APPEAL TO COMMUNITIES TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR STATUS OFFENDERS. CURRENTLY THERE ARE FEW ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION.
Abstract
STATUS OFFENSES ARE ACTS COMMITTED BY CHILDREN WHICH WOULD NOT BE ILLEGAL IF COMMITTED BY ADULTS. STATUS OFFENDERS DIFFER FROM JUVENILE CRIMINALS IN THAT THEY ENJOY LESS PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW AND ARE COMMONLY VIEWED AS PREDELINQUENT AND POTENTIALLY MORE THREATENING TO THE SOCIAL ORDER. MANY STATUS OFFENDERS HAVE DONE NO MORE THAN TYPICAL AMERICAN CHILDREN DO IN ADOLESCENCE, YET THEY ARE INSTITUTIONALIZED. ALTHOUGH PASSED WITH OVERWHELMING CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT AND EXTENDED IN 1977, THE JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION ACT, WHICH OFFERS THE STATES FEDERAL GRANTS TO DEVELOP SMALL, NONSECURE, COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES FOR STATUS OFFENDERS, HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION SLOW AND SPOTTY. REASONS FOR LACK OF COMPLIANCE INCLUDE THE FACT FEW ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION EXIST; COMMUNITIES ARE RELUCTANT TO DEVELOP ALTERNATIVES EVEN WHEN FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE; COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SHELTERS ARE UNAVAILABLE; AND THE ISSUE OF COURT JURISDICTION OVER STATUS OFFENDERS REMAINS UNRESOLVED. COMMUNITIES CAN EXPECT THE CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR OWN PROGRAMS ACCORDING TO LOCAL NEEDS. A LIST OF SOURCES IS GIVEN FOR USE IN DEVELOPING OR IMPROVING LOCAL SERVICE ALTERNATIVES. (MJW)