NCJ Number
203478
Date Published
November 2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed how existing juvenile treatment needs are determined and met in the 11th Judicial District of New Mexico, which includes McKinley and San Juan Counties.
Abstract
Data for the report were compiled through interviews with juvenile judges and representatives from the district attorney's office, the public defender's office, the Juvenile Probation/Parole office, local detention facilities, and treatment service providers. The report outlines judicial philosophy in these counties, observations about referrals, juvenile justice assessments, mental health treatment options, sex offender treatment options, crisis placement, educational services, enhanced supervision, detention, and challenges to meeting juvenile treatment needs. Analysis of the data suggests that the counties of the 11th Judicial District are diverse and include large areas with many rural communities. All of the respondents listed a lack of inpatient and outpatient sex offender treatment as a top deficiency in this district. Other concerns included a lack of inpatient mental health residential or crisis placement options and a salient need for transitional and reintegration programming for juveniles returning from correctional facilities. Many of the deficiencies in services mentioned in the report are expected to be remedied with the opening of the new juvenile justice complex in San Juan County. The four components being proposed in the new complex offer an integrated approach to assessment, detention, crisis placement, and residential treatment. Interagency collaboration will be enhanced as all the major juvenile justice professionals will be housed in the same complex. Communication between the judiciary, treatment providers, probation and detention staff, public defenders, the Children's Court attorneys, and law enforcement is expected to improve as a result.