NCJ Number
110180
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 39 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988) Pages: 47-53
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Arizona's juvenile aftercare decisionmaking device is predicated on the assumption that the core of any aftercare placement or supervision decision is degree of restrictiveness needed in the home, community, or other relevant environment.
Abstract
In response to management concerns and unbridled discretion in juvenile aftercare, decision-tree technology was used to structure the discretion of juvenile parole officers in making restrictiveness decisions. The device structures criteria for assigning youth to five levels of restrictiveness: very high, high, middle, low, and very low. It also determines four levels of parole supervision: intensive, maximum, medium, and minimum. To complete the decisionmaking instrument, officers must conduct a home study, a risk assessment, and a needs assessment. Based on this information, the device guides the officer's decisions on restrictiveness and degree of supervision. Unlike existing decisionmaking models, Arizona's decisionmaking tree considers a broader range of criteria than risk in making supervision decisions. It also clarifies for workers the points at which risk information is critical in making aftercare decisions. Decision criteria are provided. 10 references.