NCJ Number
19852
Date Published
1975
Length
22 pages
Annotation
AN ASSESSMENT OF THIS PROJECT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY SHELTER CARE FACILITIES TO THOSE JUVENILE OFFENDERS WHO ARE IN NEED OF CARE AND SUPERVISION, BUT DO NOT REQUIRE SECURE DETENTION.
Abstract
IN PAST YEARS, THERE WERE NO ALTERNATIVE FACILITIES FOR THIS TYPE OF CHILD. THIS RESULTED IN BOTH HABITUALLY DELINQUENT JUVENILES AND FIRST OFFENDERS BEING HOUSED IN THE DIAGNOSTIC AND DETENTION CENTER PENDING ADJUDICATION. THROUGH THE ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION (ATD) PROGRAM, PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY HAVE OPENED THEIR HOMES TO THESE YOUTHS AND ARE COMPENSATED BY THE METROPOLITAN SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (MSSD). STATED GOALS OF THE ATD PROGRAM ARE TO SEPARATE YOUNGER SOCIAL OFFENDERS FROM THE MORE SOPHISTICATED DELINQUENT, TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN INCARCERATED AT THE DETENTION CENTER, AND TO PROVIDE CARE AT A COST COMPARABLE TO OR LESS THAN DETENTION COSTS. THIS EVALUATION IS BASED ON 21 MONTHS (JANUARY, 1973 TO SEPTEMBER 1974) OF THE ATD PROGRAM'S OPERATION. STATISTICS ON THE TYPE OF OFFENSE, NUMBER OF PRIOR REFERRALS, MARITAL STATUS OF PARENTS, LENGTH OF STAY, AND REASON REFERRED FOR ATD REFERRALS ARE PROVIDED. ALSO INCLUDED IS A COST COMPARISON, AND INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS FROM EACH PLANNING SERVICE COMMUNITY. IT WAS FOUND THAT POPULATION AT THE DETENTION CENTER DECLINED SINCE INITIATION OF THE PROGRAM AND THAT COST PER DAY FOR ATD WAS LOWER THAN DETENTION COSTS, WHILE ATD COST PER CASE WAS HIGHER. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)