NCJ Number
80285
Date Published
1981
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Data on first commitments to the California Youth Authority (CYA) are presented comparing the characteristics of juveniles admitted for the years 1971-80.
Abstract
After decreasing to a low of 49 percent, juvenile court commitments constituted 55 percent of total first admissions. Ethnic minorities made up 66 percent of all admissions to the CYA, compared to 48 percent in 1971. In 1980, violent type offenses represented 50 percent of all commitments to the CYA, while in 1971 they represented only 26 percent. In addition, the use of possession of alcohol at the time of the offense increased from 10 percent in 1971 to 30 percent in 1977. Data also show that 68 percent of the wards who were in the job market were unemployed at the time of the offense. Most of the wards were living in the parental home (74 percent), and about one-third of the wards came from two-parent homes. Over one-half of the wards had family members with criminal records. Finally, the major problems of the ward's adjustment were negative peer group influences and mental-emotional problems. Tables are provided. (Author summary modified)