Comparative Analysis of Juvenile Justice Standards and the JJDP (Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention) Act, Volume 1 - Delinquency Prevention and Diversion

• NCJ Number: 76581
• Author(s): R W McCulloh
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 80 pages
• Grant Number(s): 79-JN-AX-0013; 77-JN-99-0008; 77-JN-99-0009; 77-JN-99-0008 (S-1); 77-JN-99-0008 (S-2)
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American Justice Institute
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This is the first of four volumes which analyze recently promulgated national standards for juvenile justice in relation to the 1974 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, as amended through 1977. This volume focuses on two major policies contained in the Act: delinquency prevention and diversion from the juvenile justice system.

Abstract

The analysis identifies various recommendations and standards prepared by four prominent national standards setting organizations: the National Advisory Committee for Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (NAC), the Task Force on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the National Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice Standards and Goals (Task Force), the Institute of Judicial Administration/American Bar Association Juvenile Justice Standards Project (IJA/ABA), and the American Correctional Association's Commission on Accreditation for Corrections (CAC). Pertinent provisions of the JJDP Act related to prevention and diversion are reviewed and positions recommended by the standards groups are analyzed and summarized for specific issues involved. The NAC states that a local juvenile justice and delinquency prevention planning authority should play a major role in prevention planning. In addition, the organization identifies a step-by-step planning, implementation, and evaluation process to be undertaken by prevention agencies and proposes a wide array of program standards. The Task Force endorses an office of delinquency prevention planning, describes the formulation of a comprehensive delinquency prevention plan, and outlines specific recommendations. The IJA/ABA expresses philosophical reservations regarding prevention but assigns the principal role for planning to a decentralized State agency, proposes juvenile justice planning criteria, and briefly mentions the types of services to be provided or brokered by youth serice agencies. Diversion is viewed as a critical 'prevention strategy.' Both the NAC and the Task Force urge the development and use of diversion programs, while the IJA/ABA recommends the formation of youth service agencies, strongly endorses diversion, and offers detailed guidelines. Finally, the CAC recommends written policies and procedures for referrals to noncourt services. Notes and matrix tables are included. Two appendixes contain relevant provisions of the 1980 Amendments and a key to abbreviations. For other volumes in this series, refer to NCJRS 76582-84.