NCJ Number
201806
Date Published
January 2001
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This report describes the processes and the results of an approach designed by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) to help juvenile justice officials in Philadelphia assess current juvenile detention-use patterns, the projected need for secure beds, and various program options.
Abstract
NCCD's detention-use and planning model is organized into six phases: identify issues, problems, and goals; collect, prepare, and analyze detention population data; develop a forecasting model for planning purposes; identify program and policy options; examine the potential impact of alternative policy scenarios; and develop a comprehensive detention-use plan. Based on this model, data were developed and analyzed for Philadelphia's juvenile detention system. Data were obtained for the following areas: baseline projection of bed space needs under the status quo; the number of youth detained, released to alternatives, and not detained; any differences in detention status between males and females; the length of time youths are held in detention; the length of time to process a case from intake to disposition; the characteristics of youth who fail to appear at a court hearing; and the characteristics of youth who reoffend prior to disposition. Seven recommendations were developed from the data analysis. First, determine the eligibility and ineligibility criteria for alternatives to detention and institute a policy to place youths directly in those programs at intake. Second, develop, test, implement, and revise a nondiscriminatory detention risk assessment instrument. Third, use the new residential beds for girls wisely. Fourth, scrutinize all alternative-to-detention programs to assess their ability to promote court-hearing compliance. Fifth, create a court-operated notification program for all court appearances. Sixth, review existing programs and modify or create new programs to reduce predisposition reoffending. Seventh, shorten case processing time where appropriate. Action steps are outlined for each of these recommendations. 11 tables and an appended table of the most serious offense types of detention admissions