NCJ Number
25972
Date Published
1973
Length
65 pages
Annotation
THIS VOLUME PRESENTS AN OVERVIEW OF THE POLK COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OPERATIONS, A REVIEW OF CHANGES MADE IN JUVENILE COURT PROGRAMMING SINCE 1973, AND AN ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE COURT DATA AND TRENDS.
Abstract
THIS REPORT IS AN UPDATE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM DATA AND ASSESSMENTS PRESENTED IN A PREVIOUS PUBLICATION BY THE DES MOINES/POLK COUNTY METROPOLITAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER. AFTER REVIEWING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM OPERATIONS, THE REPORT REVIEWS REFORM EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN IN THE STATE AND CRITICIZES THE LACK OF LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION AMONG THOSE GROUPS SEEKING TO EFFECT MAJOR JUVENILE COURT REFORMS. A LIST OF GOALS FOR REFORM COMMON TO ALL THESE GROUPS IS PROVIDED. AMONG THE CHANGES IN JUVENILE COURT PROGRAMMING WHICH HAVE OCCURRED SINCE 1973 ARE DEVELOPMENT OF A VOLUNTEERS IN PROBATION PROGRAM REINSTATEMENT OF A JUVENILE COURT DIVERSION PROGRAM, CONTRACTING OF SERVICES FOR DRUG-RELATED REFERRALS, AND PLANNING FOR A COMMUNITY-BASED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY. AN ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE COURT DATA AND TRENDS IS PROVIDED. SIGNIFICANT TRENDS NOTED WERE THE INCREASE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT REFERRALS FROM POLICE AGENCIES OTHER THAN THE DES MOINES POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND DECLINES IN THE NUMBER OF FEMALES REFERRED TO THE JUVENILE COURT AND NUMBER OF REFERRALS FROM FAMILIES TO THE JUVENILE COURT. COMPARATIVE DATA IS PROVIDED ON AGE, SEX, SOURCE, LOCATION, AND RACE OF REFERRALS; REASONS FOR REFERRALS; TYPE OF CARE; DISPOSITIONS; AND DELINQUENCY RATES.