NCJ Number
133593
Date Published
1988
Length
21 pages
Annotation
A committee formed by the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice in 1987 reviewed the State's juvenile justice system and recommended reforms in several areas.
Abstract
The committee reaffirmed the basis principles on which the juvenile justice system operates including commitment to prevention and early intervention programs involving schools, religious institutions, and other community groups; the provision of a continuum of care and the use of the least restrictive alternative feasible; and interagency cooperation. Topics considered included the expanding juvenile offender population, the handling of juvenile status offenders, the overrepresentation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system, the use of alternative dispute resolution, and drug abuse. Recommended actions include giving priority to prevention programs, support for diversion programs, a continued emphasis on rehabilitation, continuation of the policy that makes truancy the responsibility of schools, and many other measures.