JUVENILE DETENTION IN NEW YORK STATE, 1977 - POLICY AND PRACTICE - SUMMARY

• NCJ Number: 42458
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 11 pages
• Grant Number(s): 1863
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services
• Corporate Author: New York State Office of Children and Family Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS IS A SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FINDINGS OF A STUDY UNIT INSTITUTED TO SURVEY AND ASSESS NON-SECURE DETENTION BED-SPACE NEEDS ON A COUNTY-BY-COUNTY BASIS.

Abstract

IT WAS FOUND THAT AN UNNECESSARILY HIGH NUMBER OF JUVENILES WERE PLACED IN SECURE DETENTION; THEREFORE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A GREATER PROPORTION OF DETAINED JUVENILES BE HELD IN NON-SECURE PROGRAMS. IT IS FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT ALL STATUS OFFENDERS BE PLACED IN NON-SECURE DETENTION PROGRAMS. SINCE SEPARATE NON-SECURE FACILITIES ARE FINANCIALLY IMPRACTICAL IN MANY COUNTIES, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A MORE FLEXIBLE, DIVERSIFIED APPROACH IN NON-SECURE PROGRAMS BE DEVELOPED. THE NEED TO IDENTIFY MORE CLEARLY THE TYPES OF CARE PROVIDED IN NON-SECURE FACILITIES IS DISCUSSED. THE STUDY FURTHER SUGGESTS A REDUCTION IN BED CAPACITY IN FIVE SECURE FACILITIES AND THE CLOSING OF TWO SECURE FACILITIES BASED ON DECREASED NEED. IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED AND REFINED AND A FACILITY MONITORING SYSTEM DEVELOPED. THE DESIGNATION OF AN INTAKE OFFICIAL TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SCREENING DETENTION ADMISSIONS AFTER COURT HOURS IS RECOMMENDED FOR EACH COUNTY. IN ADDITION, IT IS URGED SOME OFFICIAL COURT DOCUMENT BE SPECIFIED TO INCLUDE INFORMATION GIVING REASONS FOR EACH DETENTION DECISION. THE FACTORS INVOLVED IN DECISIONMAKING AS REGARDS JUVENILE DETENTION WERE ALSO STUDIED, AND GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE....RCB