NCJ Number
59761
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE EFFORTS TO DEVELOP JUVENILE JUSTICE STANDARDS, PRIMARILY BY THE INSTITUTE OF JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION (IJA) AND THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) JOINT COMMISSION, ARE CRITIQUED IN THIS ARTICLE.
Abstract
VARIOUS GROUPS HAVE BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE STANDARDS TO IMPROVE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC BY IMPROVING THE LOT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTHS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS. THE STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY THE IJA/ABA JOINT COMMISSION (1977) SEEK TO (1) ACHIEVE UNIFORMITY IN LAWS FOR GREATER FAIRNESS, EFFICIENCY, AND PREDICTABILITY, REGARDLESS OF JURISDICTION; (2) UNIFY AND COORDINATE SYSTEM SERVICES; (3) REEXAMINE ACCEPTED CONCEPTS AND PREMISES BEHIND CURRENT LAWS; AND (4) CODIFY RELEVANT CASE LAW, ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS, STATUTORY INNOVATIONS, AND FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES TO SERVE AS MODEL LEGISLATIVE ACTS. ALTHOUGH MOST STANDARDS CALL FOR THE CREATION OF SAFE, HUMANE, CARING ENVIRONMENTS WITHIN JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, DIFFERENCES DO EXIST ON WHAT SPECIFIC STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROVIDE SUCH AN ENVIRONMENT. SPECIFIC IJA/ABA STANDARDS CALLING FOR THE GREATER CONSOLIDATION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE PROGRAMS AT THE STATE LEVEL AND THE APPOINTMENT OF STATE DIRECTORS BY GOVERNORS ENTAIL COMPLEX POLITICAL AND BUREAUCRATIC MANEUVERINGS. FURTHERMORE, ANY EFFORT TO DEVELOP STANDARDS MUST DEAL WITH THE REALITY THAT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS AN AMALGAM OF THE EFFORTS BY COURTS, SCHOOLS, WELFARE, MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND OTHER JUVENILE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES. THEREFORE, STANDARDS MUST STRIVE TO CREATE GREATER COORDINATION AMONG THESE AGENCIES. CURRENTLY, MOST JUVENILES RECEIVE BETTER PROTECTION AND TREATMENT WITHIN THE CURRENT JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM THAN THEY WOULD IF IT WAS BASED ON THE ADULT SYSTEM. HOWEVER, ADDITIONAL EFFORTS MUST BE TAKEN TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF MINORS. (KCP)