NCJ Number
232152
Editor(s)
Rick Wiebush
Date Published
November 2002
Length
178 pages
Annotation
This manual is a detailed resource for local juvenile justice systems that are in the process of designing, implementing, refining, or assessing their approach to graduated sanctions.
Abstract
The manual focuses on the development of a graduated sanctions system, including the key issues that must be taken into account and the steps required to address them when developing or expanding a graduated sanctions system. Instead of offering a detailed blueprint for how every graduated sanctions system should be designed, the manual emphasizes the development of the fundamental components, principles, and processes that compose the framework for all graduated sanctions systems. Within this basic framework, the manual details the steps and procedures required to plan and implement a graduated sanctions system that fits local circumstances. As used in the manual, the term "graduated sanctions" refers to the "range of dispositional options that are available to juvenile court judges (and intake staff)." It is also often used to refer to a schedule of incentives and consequences that is administratively applied by corrections staff in responding to an offender's degree of compliance with specific conditions or requirements within a particular supervision or program setting. After an overview of the manual's objectives and content, the remaining chapters are grouped under major sections entitled, "Preferred Practices in Graduated Sanctions" and "Program Development and Implementation." Chapters related to preferred practices in graduated sanctions address principles of a graduated sanctions system, promising and proven programs for graduated sanctions, issues and programs for special needs populations, and a model structured decisionmaking system for graduated sanctions. Chapters related to program development focus on assessing the current continuum of sanctions and services, planning and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. 13 figures, 7 tables, and 250 references