NCJ Number
180147
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 23 Issue: 9 Dated: September 1998 Pages: 10-18
Editor(s)
Gabrielle deGroot
Date Published
1998
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This survey of juvenile offender populations in the United States and Canada involved 28 juvenile correctional systems.
Abstract
Data showed 24,542 juveniles were in custody as of June 1, 1998, in the United States, compared to 12,184 in 1993. Decreases in juvenile offender populations were identified in smaller jurisdictions, while all other juvenile correctional systems reported increases. Age limits for incarceration varied from 0 to 23 years in the United States and from 12 to 18 years in Canada. The number of secure juvenile facilities totaled 150, compared to 95 in 1993. Little changed over the years in terms of providing standard programs within juvenile correctional systems. Academic courses were reported by all systems, as well as organized recreation. Some jurisdictions eliminated some programs, such as vocational training, vocational counseling, and mental health programs. Other jurisdictions added some programs to help prepare young people for their eventual return to the community. Problem areas identified by juvenile correctional systems included idleness, lack of programs, not enough staff, discipline, gangs, too long or too short of time in institution, and inadequate outside resources. Detailed survey data are tabulated on the number of juvenile offender populations in the United States and Canada. 3 tables