NCJ Number
41710
Journal
Popular Government Volume: 41 Issue: 4 Dated: (SPRING I976) Pages: 26-29
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AFTER DESCRIBING THE FINDINGS OF A 1972 REPORT WHICH FOUND SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES IN THE NORTH CAROLINA JUVENILE CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE CORRECTIONAL REFORMS RESULTING FROM THE REPORT.
Abstract
THE REPORT, PREPARED BY THE NORTH CAROLINA BAR ASSOCIATION'S PENAL SYSTEM STUDY COMMITTEE FOUND THAT NORTH CAROLINA JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS WERE OFTEN INADEQUATE, AND THAT HALF OF THE 2,400 CHILDREN IN NORTH CAROLINA TRAINING SCHOOLS SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN SENT THERE. THE REPORT SPURRED A NUMBER OF CHANGES IN THE JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM. SOME HAVE BEEN ADMINISTRATIVELY IMPLEMENTED, SUCH AS REDUCING THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME THAT CHILDREN SPEND IN STATE TRAINING SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTING A NEW TREATMENT PROGRAM USING POSITIVE PEER PRESSURE AND GROUP COUNSELING. OTHER CHANGES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED THROUGH LEGISLATION, SUCH AS CRITERIA FOR JUDGES CONSIDERING INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT OF JUVENILES; ESTABLISHMENT OF A TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DELINQUENCY PREVENTION AND YOUTH SERVICES; AND REORGANIZATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROGRAMS IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. IN SPITE OF THESE REFORMS, IT IS NOTED THAT THERE IS A CONTINUING GAP BETWEEN THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE INTENT AND ITS CAPACITY TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENT THE REFORMS. THE AUTHOR NOTES THAT INCREASED PLANNING AND INFORMATION ARE NEEDED FOR SUCH AREAS AS DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, INTAKE, TRAINING, AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS....DMC