NCJ Number
50419
Date Published
1978
Length
103 pages
Annotation
INFORMATION IS PRESENTED ON DELINQUENCY PREVENTION SERVICES AND PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS IN SIX REGIONS OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA
Abstract
MORE THAN 41,000 YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WERE ARRESTED IN VIRGINIA DURING 1977. JUVENILES ACCOUNTED FOR 35 PERCENT OF ALL INDIVIDUALS ARRESTED FOR THE SERIOUS CRIMES OF MURDER, MANSLAUGHTER, FORCIBLE RAPE, ROBBERY, BURGLARY, LARCENY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, AND MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT. APPROXIMATELY 40 PERCENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE APPEARING IN JUVENILE COURTS HAD BEEN THERE PREVIOUSLY FOR OTHER OFFENSES. EACH STEP OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS, INCLUDING ARREST, INTAKE, DETENTION, ADJUDICATION, DISPOSITION, PROBATION, INCARCERATION, AND AFTERCARE, REQUIRES THE EXPENDITURE OF CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES. THE INTAKE PROCESS COSTS ALMOST $18 PER CASE, OFFICIAL PROBATION ABOUT $26 PER CASE PER MONTH, AND AFTERCARE ABOUT $30 PER CASE PER MONTH. THE COST OF INCARCERATING ONE YOUTH IN A STATE LEARNING CENTER FOR A YEAR IS APPROXIMATELY $10,500. STATISTICS ON YOUTH CRIME IN VIRGINIA DEMONSTRATE THAT A REACTIVE STRATEGY HAS DONE LITTLE TO REDUCE THE STATE'S DELINQUENCY RATE. THE PREVENTION APPROACH TO DELINQUENCY IS IN A FORMATIVE STAGE OF EVOLUTION IN VIRGINIA. AVAILABLE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION SERVICES AND PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS ARE LISTED, WITH INFORMATION ON PROGRAM OBJECTIVES, BUDGET AND FUNDING SOURCES, AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN BEING SERVED. (DEP)