NCJ Number
161323
Date Published
1995
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The 1995 annual report of the Huron County, Ohio, Juvenile Court indicates the number of felony complaints and felony adjudications in the Juvenile Court more than doubled between 1991 and 1995 and the number and complexity of new cases also increased.
Abstract
From 1982 to 1995, the workload of the Juvenile Court nearly tripled, while expenditures adjusted for inflation decreased. Even so, Huron County does not have a juvenile detention facility. Over the past 20 years, juvenile detention needs in the county have been met by renting "space available" beds from neighboring counties. As juvenile delinquency problems increase in Ohio, there is a growing need for detention space. Experts generally agree that it is most economical to operate a juvenile detention facility with a 30- to 40-bed capacity. A preliminary survey of adult and juvenile facilities in counties neighboring Huron County indicates the per day cost to hold a person ranges from $54.79 to $110.31. Huron County's needs for the next 10 years are estimated to be 10 bed days with guaranteed availability. Because it may not be practical or cost-effective for Huron County to build its own juvenile facility, it is recommended that the county obtain a 10-year lease of 10 beds with a neighboring county that is planning to build a new juvenile detention facility. Statistical data are provided on juvenile complaints filed in the Huron County Juvenile Court, felony adjudications, juvenile delinquency, traffic complaints, abused and neglected children, per diem paid for court placements, hearings and trials, juvenile detention, foster care, and court workload and funding. 18 tables and 2 figures