NCJ Number
115211
Date Published
1986
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is funding a project to evaluate the deinstitutionalization of status offenders (DSO) and determine its effects on juveniles, their parents, youth-serving agencies, and the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Mandated in 1974 legislation, the DSO movement incorporates principles of normalization, treatment, and deterrence. An analysis of State juvenile statutes current through early 1987 focused on jurisdictional classification, use of secure detention, and dispositional options. Based on these preliminary analyses, seven States were identified as clearly reflecting the three juvenile justice models. To supplement these efforts, researchers are gathering information on local practices of youth serving agencies, including juvenile justice and social service agencies, churches, schools, and community organizations. Preliminary results of site visits and interviews in the seven States reveal differences in policies and practices. Future project activities will include interviews with status offenders to determine their characteristics and service experiences and tracking of such youth to examine case management and disposition practices and their impact on subsequent offense and victimization patterns. 1 note.