NCJ Number
59545
Date Published
1978
Length
51 pages
Annotation
THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF A GRANT PROJECT FUNDED BY LEAA IN 1977 TO IMPLEMENT A JUVENILE INTAKE, SCREENING, AND DIVERSION PROJECT IN SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y., ARE EVALUATED.
Abstract
SIX GOALS OF THE PROJECTS WERE TO: (1) PROVIDE THE FASTEST AND MOST APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION FOR JUVENILES APPREHENDED BY THE POLICE; (2) REFINE AND DEVELOP SCREENING CRITERIA TO FACILITATE CORRECT DECISIONS WITH REGARD TO JUVENILE DIVERSION THROUGH RESEARCH AND EVALUATION; (3) DIVERT YOUTH FROM THE FEDERAL COURT SYSTEM WHO MAY BE PETITIONED DUE TO THE LACK OF TIMELY INTERVENTION OR INADEQUATE SCREENING CRITERIA; (4) PROVIDE EXPANDED INTAKE SCREENING AND EVALUATION ON EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS; (5) STUDY AND EVALUATE EXISTING PROCEDURES USED BY POLICE OFFICERS AND THE COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT; AND (6) WORK WITH AVAILABLE COMMUNITY AGENCIES THAT CAN SERVE AS REFERRAL RESOURCES FOR YOUTH DIVERTED BY PROBATION. THESE GOALS WERE LATER EXPANDED IN A GRANT REFUNDING APPLICATION. EVALUATION OF THE FIRST 18 MONTHS OF PROJECT OPERATION REVEALED THAT THE LENGTH OF TIME REQUIRED TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN A JUVENILE DELINQUENCY CASE WAS GREATLY REDUCED. THE ABILITY OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM'S SCREENING AND DIVERSION UNIT TO MAKE IMMEDIATE DETERMINATIONS TO CLOSE CASES AT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM LEVEL OR TO REFER CASES TO INTAKE FOR ADJUSTMENT ELIMINATED THE NEED FOR COMPLETE POLICE INVESTIGATIONS AND PETITION PREPARATION FOR 854 CASES IMMEDIATELY ADJUSTED AND 2,329 CASES REFERRED TO INTAKE. THE TOTAL COST OF THE GRANT PROJECT FOR THE 18-MONTH PERIOD WAS $92,304. THE AVERAGE COST OF PROCESSING A JUVENILE DELINQUENCY CASE THROUGH THE SCREENING AND DIVERSION UNIT WAS $18.27 PER CASE. THE GRANT PROJECT WAS EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF DIVERSION OF CASES FROM THE FAMILY COURT, ADJUSTMENT OF CASES REFERRED TO INTAKE, AND INCIDENCE OF RECIDIVISM. SUPPORTING DATA AND ILLUSTRATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (DEP)