NCJ Number
187578
Date Published
2000
Length
48 pages
Annotation
This third of 12 publications from the series entitled, "Pathways to Juvenile Detention Reform," outlines principles for effective admissions policies and practices for juvenile detention; proposes elements of a structured, objective admissions process; identifies lessons learned from the project regarding detention admissions policies and practices; and suggests how to get started in the development of admissions policies and practices.
Abstract
This publication, along with the rest of the publications in the series, is a product of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The project's objectives were to eliminate the unnecessary use of secure detention for juveniles; minimize failures to appear and the incidence of delinquent behavior; redirect public finances from building new facility capacity to responsible alternative strategies; and to improve conditions in secure detention facilities. The experiences of the five JDAI sites and other jurisdictions engaged in juvenile detention reform have produced a set of core principles essential to revising admissions policies and practices for juvenile detention. First, admissions policies, practices, and instruments must be based on a clear understanding of the purposes of detention; second, effective admissions policies and practices rely on objective criteria to distinguish between youth who are likely to flee or commit new crimes and those who are not; third, good admissions practices rely on a structured decision making process to ensure timely, consistent screening; fourth, data are essential to the design, implementation, and sustainability of effective admissions practices; fifth, effective implementation of objective admissions practices requires the support of the system's key stakeholders and line staff; and sixth, an objective admissions system requires constant monitoring and quality control. The experiences of sites that have successfully changed their approach to admitting youth to juvenile detention highlight three basic elements: objective criteria that define eligibility; risk assessment to determine the level of custody that detention-eligible youth require; and quality control and oversight to track consistency, accuracy, and outcomes. 1 table, 10 figures, a list of 6 resources, and risk assessment instruments from three of the JDAI sites