NCJ Number
152839
Date Published
1994
Length
109 pages
Annotation
The final report of New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Advisory Council concludes that the State juvenile justice system is a loose confederation of independent agencies, commissions, and councils with often competing goals and philosophies.
Abstract
While there is consensus about the results the juvenile justice system should achieved, including increased public safety and offender accountability, rehabilitation, and prevention of youth crime and violence, methods to achieve these goals are debated. Confusion and debate over identity in the juvenile justice system result in limited access to social and correctional services. The social service network for children, already overburdened and unable to meet its traditional mandates, is reluctant to include the juvenile justice population because juveniles typically present special behavioral problems that may complicate service provision. Likewise, the adult corrections system has difficulty dealing with the increase in adult inmates and cannot focus adequate attention on the special needs of juveniles. At the same time, the juvenile justice system is attempting to define its goals and to survive within limited resources, serious and violent juvenile crime is increasing, particularly in families and communities steeped in poverty and violence. Ways to reform New Jersey's juvenile justice system are discussed that focus on philosophical changes, the creation of a Juvenile Justice Commission and Youth Service Commissions, the development of a State/community partnership grant program, and the establishment of a plan to transition from the current to the reformed juvenile justice system. The need to address minority overrepresentation in New Jersey's juvenile justice system is stressed, initiatives to address the most serious and violent juvenile offenders are identified, and priority initiatives for the juvenile justice system and the State/community partnership grant program are noted. Individuals associated with the Juvenile Justice Advisory Council are listed in an appendix. 28 footnotes, 1 table, and 1 figure