NCJ Number
161354
Date Published
1983
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report presents the methodology and findings of a study designed to determine the characteristics of youths detained in Jefferson County, Ky., and to determine whether the implementation of specific detention criteria was a safe and effective method of reducing secure pretrial detention.
Abstract
Youths referred to intake at the Jefferson County Diagnostic and Detention Center, specifically 425 youths referred to intake in March 1979 (prior to implementation of detention criteria) and 380 youths referred in September (after the implementation of specific criteria) were studied. Data on the 805 youths were taken from court and Detention Center records to determine the criteria used to make detention decisions. Data were also collected to determine the number of youths detained in excess of 12 hours, the number of youths rearrested within 80 days of release to a nonsecure setting, and the number of youths who failed to appear in court within 80 days of release to a nonsecure setting. Findings show that the policy changes instituted by the Department of Human Services and the juvenile court judges in the fall of 1979 have significantly reduced the use of juvenile detention in Jefferson County without causing a significant threat to the community. The newly implemented criteria restricted the use of secure detention to youths falling into at least one of the following categories: Youths charged with Class A and B felonies, except for burglary I; youths charged with a second felony (or more) within the previous 60 days; youths with an outstanding bench warrant; youths charged with any degree of escape; youths ordered remanded by a judge; youths from out-of-county charged with felonies; and youths charged with a second (or more) offense within the previous 45 days (not applicable to status offenses or violations punishable by a fine only). 4 tables