NCJ Number
63856
Date Published
1977
Length
206 pages
Annotation
THE EFFORTS OF THE FRESNO COUNTY, CALIF., PROBATION-POLICE TEAM TOWARD REDUCING THE NUMBER OF JUVENILES REFERRED TO THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1976, AND NOVEMBER 30, 1977, ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
A PROBATION OFFICER WORKED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S JUVENILE DIVISION AND PROVIDED EXPERTISE ON JUVENILE COURT PROCESSING SO AS TO OBVIATE UNNECESSARY REFERRALS. PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE TEAM, ARRESTED JUVENILES WERE FORWARDED TO THE JUVENILE DIVISION FOR INTERROGATION. A JUVENILE OFFICER MADE AN INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION, BASED ON DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES, ON WHETHER TO COUNSEL AND RELEASE THE CHILD TO THE PARENTS, REFER THE FAMILY TO AN APPROPRIATE COMMUNITY AGENCY, REFER THE CHILD AND PARENTS TO THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT WITHOUT DETENTION, OR TAKE THE CHILD DIRECTLY TO JUVENILE HALL FOR CONTINUED DETENTION. THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT RELEASED MANY OF THE CHILDREN THAT WERE BROUGHT TO JUVENILE HALL BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MEET THE EXISTING CRITERIA FOR DETENTION. UNDER THE TEAM CONCEPT, EITHER THE PROBATION OFFICER OR THE JUVENILE OFFICER OR BOTH TEAM MEMBERS INTERROGATED JUVENILES AND SELECTED DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES. THE TEAM WORKED 8-HOUR, DAYTIME SHIFTS, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. DURING OFF-DUTY HOURS, ARRESTED JUVENILES WERE HANDLED AS THEY WERE PRIOR TO THE TEAM'S DEPLOYMENT. DURING THE PROJECT PERIOD, THE TEAM HANDLED 2,238 REFERRALS AND REDUCED THE NUMBER OF YOUTHS RELEASED WITHIN 6 HOURS AFTER JUVENILE HALL BOOKING BY 40 PERCENT COMPARED TO THE NUMBER HANDLED CONVENTIONALLY DURING OTHER POLICE WORK SHIFTS. AT LEAST $150,000 IN COSTS WERE SAVED THROUGH THE REDUCED SYSTEM PENETRATION. DATA TABLES, SUPPORTING MONTHLY REPORTS, COST ANALYSES, SAMPLE FORMS, AND SUPPLEMENTARY PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS ARE INCLUDED.