NCJ Number
45985
Date Published
1978
Length
31 pages
Annotation
FOLLOWING A BACKGROUND AND FUNDING STATEMENT, THE AIMS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE YOUTH POLICY AND LAW CENTER INC. (YPLC), A YOUTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION ADDRESSING WISCONSIN STATE LEGISLATIVE POLICY, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
PROJECTS AND ISSUES ADDRESSED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1976, TO SEPTEMBER 1, 1977, ARE SUMMARIZED. YPLC IS A PUBLIC INTEREST AGENCY WITH A BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND A MULTIDISCIPLINARY STAFF WHICH ADDRESSES ISSUES IN THE AREAS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE, MENTAL HEALTH, INSTITUTIONAL CARE, ADEQUACY OF TREATMENT, CHILD ABUSE, AND DUE PROCESS AND STUDENTS' RIGHTS. DUE TO FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS, MOST OF THE WORK UNDERTAKEN IN THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN IN THE AREA OF JUVENILE JUSTICE. METHODS USED HAVE INCLUDED PROVISION OF LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION, LITIGATION THROUGH REPRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP CLIENTS IN A VARIETY OF COURT FORUMS, POLICY RESEARCH, PUBLIC EDUCATION, DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL DEPARTMENTAL RULES AND GUIDELINES, MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING LAW, AND PARTICIPATION IN LEGISLATIVE AND AGENCY STUDY COMMITTEES. A LISTING OF STAFF MEMBERS AND THEIR PRIMARY WORK RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS PRESENTED. THE MAJOR ISSUE ADDRESSED BY YPLC HAS BEEN THE INCONSISTENT USE OF LOCKED DETENTION FACILITIES FOR MINORS. RESEARCH INDICATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 22,000 MINORS WERE HELD IN LOCKED DETENTION CENTERS OR COUNTY AND CITY JAILS IN 1975. OVER 70 PERCENT OF THESE WERE LOCKED UP FOR REASONS OTHER THAN COMMISSION OF A CRIME: ALMOST HALF WERE HELD FOR STATUS OFFENSES, AND 4 PERCENT WERE DETAINED FOR BEING NEGLECTED. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ABUSIVE USE OF DETENTION WERE FAILURE TO FOLLOW EXISTING CASE LAW LIMITATIONS, LACK OF UNIFORM STATEWIDE CRITERIA, LACK OF PROCEDURAL PROTECTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND A LACK OF ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES. YPLC EFFORTS WERE DIRECTED TOWARD PROMOTING SOLUTIONS SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENT OF GUIDELINES AND PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE SHELTER CARE FACILITIES. ANOTHER GOAL HAS BEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES FOR THE JUVENILE COURT. MEETING THIS GOAL HAS REQUIRED WORK IN STATE BUDGETARY PLANNING, REVISION OF ZONING ORDINANCES, NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND PROGRAM PLANNING, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF A RESOURCE MANUAL, AND TRAINING PROGRAMS. FURTHER PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN DEFINITION OF COURT JURISDICTION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF WRITTEN, CLEAR, AND UNIFORM JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURES. FURTHER ACTIVITIES ARE LISTED. PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES HAVE INCLUDED INVOLVEMENT WITH OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, MEDIA SUPPORT EFFORTS, AND PUBLICATION OF A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, 'LOOKING GLASS.' (JAP)