NCJ Number
35009
Date Published
1976
Length
40 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES SOME PROBLEM AREAS IN JUVENILE CORRECTIONS, PRESENTS SOME FINDINGS FROM A NATIONAL SURVEY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION IN THE STATES, AND DISCUSSES FUTURE POLICY ALTERNATIVES.
Abstract
THE PROBLEM AREAS DISCUSSED ARE THAT JUVENILE JUSTICE IS ESSENTIALLY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT VEHICLE FOR DEALING WITH FUNDAMENTAL SHORTCOMINGS OF OUR ENTIRE SOCIETY; THE OPERATIONS OF THE SYSTEM ARE GROSSLY OVERLOADED, DEMONSTRABLY INEFFECTIVE, AND INDIFFERENT TO FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS; THE POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVEMENT EXISTS IF THE GOOD POINTS OF THE VARIOUS MOVEMENTS CAN BE CONSOLIDATED; CONTRADICTORY CONCEPTS FORM THE BASIS FOR SIMULTANEOUS ACTION WITHIN A SINGLE SYSTEM; AND COMMUNITY CONDITIONS ARE OVERLY INFLUENTIAL ON THE QUALITY OF JUVENILE JUSTICE. STATE-LEVEL JUVENILE CORRECTIONS IN THE AREAS OF JAILING AND DETENTION, STATE INSTITUTIONS, COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS, FOSTER CARE, DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION, AND EXPANSION. SURVEY RESULTS ON CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS CONCENTRATE ON DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS, STAFF CHARACTERISTICS, ORGANIZATIONAL PATTERNS, AND LABELING. LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION AFFECTING JUVENILES IS DISCUSSED. CRITICAL ISSUES ARE IDENTIFIED AS THE INCREASE IN JUVENILE JUSTICE POPULATION, INADEQUATE PROTECTION OF JUVENILE RIGHTS IN REVISED STATUTES, RACISM AND SEXISM, FADS IN JUVENILE JUSTICE, INTERVENTION OVERKILL, RIGHT TO SERVICE (A PREVENTION MEASURE), CHILD ADVOCACY, AND ROLES FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.