NCJ Number
86244
Date Published
1979
Length
301 pages
Annotation
The new juvenile code in New Jersey, effective March 1974, has successfully prohibited the placement of Juveniles in Need of Supervision (JINS) in secure institutions.
Abstract
The most visible change resulting from the legislation was the creation of 20 JINS shelters across the State. The new code had a relatively small impact on the male juvenile population at the training schools, but a major impact on the female population. Although the new code provides for the placement of minor delinquent offenders into JINS shelters, in practice this is rarely done. The code's other provisions prohibit the placement of delinquent juveniles in county jails, restrict more severely waivers for trying a juvenile in adult court, and incorporate two additional dispositions to allow a juvenile to be committed to an institution for a mental illness or to be placed under the Division of Mental Retardation. A study of the effects of the new code indicates that at the police level, the proportion of JINS referred to social services increased. However, the code has no effect on the rates of temporary custody for JINS and delinquents: JINS are still more than twice as likely as delinquents to be held in temporary custody. The report also discusses other findings such as the differences between JINS and delinquent offenders (characteristics and handling by the juvenile justice system) and the existence of a 'double standard' of acceptable behavior for male and female JINS. Policy implications are noted, and study instruments are appended. Tables, notes, and about 125 references are provided. (Author summary modified)