NCJ Number
202558
Date Published
2003
Length
37 pages
Annotation
This 2002 Annual Report of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) presents data and information on juvenile crime, juvenile offenders, and the operation of the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
Juvenile crime in Florida has decreased 8 percent from 5 years ago; and juvenile felony crime has decreased 19 percent from its high in the middle of the 1990's. The DJJ believes juvenile crime can be reduced even further by providing services to those youth most likely to become repeat offenders. With the help of its partners, the DJJ provides a full continuum of programs and services, from prevention through early intervention, sanctions, and treatment. The emphasis is on providing programming in the least restrictive environment possible without compromising public safety. Juvenile justice policies have featured the provision of quality programming, longer lengths of stay in residential facilities, and expanded mental health treatment in residential programs. A third of juvenile justice programs have achieved exemplary scores in quality assurance program monitoring, an all-time high. These ratings have steadily improved over time. In 2000 DJJ underwent a major restructuring and is now organized around four core public safety functions: prevention and victim services, detention, probation and community corrections, and residential and correctional facilities. The DJJ has worked to engage families and communities in delinquency prevention, early intervention, and rehabilitation. Data are provided on juvenile crimes and arrests.