NCJ Number
43365
Date Published
1977
Length
40 pages
Annotation
A NARRATIVE AND STATISTICAL DESCRIPTION OF YOUTH AUTHORITY PROGRAMS AND TRENDS DURING 1976 IS PRESENTED. THE REPORT INCLUDES DETAILED STATISTICS ON POPULATIONS AND TRENDS.
Abstract
THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AUTHORITY, CREATED BY THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE IN 1941, HAS A STATUTORY MANDATE TO REPLACE RETRIBUTIVE PUNISHMENT WITH INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS. IT HAS CONTINUALLY REFINED ITS TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AN OLDER AND MORE EXPERIENCED OFFENDER POPULATION. PROGRAMS, BOTH IN INSTITUTIONS AND IN THE COMMUNITY, ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THE OFFENDER BECOME A PRODUCTIVE AND LAW-ABIDING CITIZEN. IN ADDITION TO RESIDENTIAL AND PAROLE PROGRAMS, THE DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AUTHORITY IS INVOLVED IN COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN HIGH DELINQUENCY AREAS. THE FIVE BRANCHES THROUGH WHICH THE DEPARTMENT'S OPERATIONS ARE ADMINISTERED INCLUDE: INSTITUTIONS AND CAMPS; PAROLE; PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS; PLANNING, RESEARCH, EVALUATION, AND DEVELOPMENT; AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES. THE YOUTH AUTHORITY BOARD, ALSO ESTABLISHED IN 1941, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GRANTING PAROLE, SETTING CONDITIONS FOR PAROLE, DETERMINING VIOLATIONS AND REVOCATIONS OF PAROLE, RETURNING PERSONS TO THE COURT OF COMMITMENT FOR REDISPOSITION BY THE COURT, AND DISCHARGING WARDS FROM YOUTH AUTHORITY JURISDICTION. STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT REFLECT COMMITMENTS TO THE CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY, CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRST COMMITMENTS, MOVEMENT OF THE POPULATION, LENGTH OF INSTITUTIONAL STAY, PAROLE POPULATION MOVEMENT, LENGTH OF STAY ON PAROLE, PAROLE PERFORMANCE, AND LONG TERM TRENDS.