NCJ Number
123993
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes the results of a national survey of State juvenile correctional transitional services and describes a demonstration transition project in Kentucky in order to identify key components of an effective transition program for adjudicated youth returning to the community.
Abstract
The survey of chief State juvenile correctional officials, conducted as the first phase of the Kentucky Transition Project, focused on the organization of juvenile correctional services, policies and procedures related to transition, and identification of the best transitional programs in each State. The findings indicate that juvenile correctional services in the U.S. are provided inconsistently between States, with each jurisdiction operating under different administrative and sentencing procedures. Transitional services are usually limited and most released delinquents do not return to either a supportive family or a supervised work or education program. The Project's second phase was the establishment of two county transition teams, one in an urban area, one in a rural area. By using a "backward mapping" process and reviewing case records, the Project found a number of barriers to effective transition: a lack of interagency communication about transition services, inconsistency in educational records transfers, and limiting information sharing among service providers. Eight key elements essential to the establishment of a comprehensive transitional program were identified, including pre-release assessment and planning, continuum of care, family services, high frequency of supervision, motivated and energetic staff, leisure activities, drug and alcohol prevention, and development of community resources. 4 tables, 5 references. (Author abstract modified)