NCJ Number
85748
Date Published
1982
Length
33 pages
Annotation
This bulletin measures the initial effects of State reform legislation (H.B. 440) on Ohio's correctional institutions for juveniles.
Abstract
The legislation prohibits juvenile adjudicated delinquent for misdemeanors and unruly offenses from being committed to the Department of Youth Services (DYS), mandates minimum sentences for youths committed to DYS, and requires placement of delinquents in institutions and not community settings. The report finds that total institutional population has not fallen as a result of H.B. 440 since admission of additional felony offenders more than made up for the loss of misdemeanant offenders who no longer could be committed to State institutions. The growing youth population is also related to the ruling prohibiting community commitments. Implications of these findings are discussed and alternatives for remedying the overcrowding situation (i.e., early release, less juvenile court commitments, etc.) proposed. Data estimation methods and tables are appended. Graphs and charts illustrate population trends and offense rates. (Author summary modified)