PLAN FOR THE VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF JUVENILE COURT PROBATION STAFF TO THE MICHIGAN STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

• NCJ Number: 63066
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 88 pages
• Corporate Author: Michigan Dept of Social Services
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A PLAN DEVELOPED BY THE STATE OF MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE VOLUNTARY TRANSFER OF THE JUVENILE COURT PROBATION STAFF TO THE DEPARTMENT IS PRESENTED.

Abstract

BECAUSE PROBATION STAFF IN THE COURTS DO MUCH MORE THAN JUST PROVIDE PROBATION SERVICES, UNCERTAINTIES AROSE ABOUT APPLICATION OF THE PLAN TO THE EXISTING JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN MICHIGAN. INTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATIVE INTENT WAS REQUIRED, AS LITERAL APPLICATION OF THE LEGISLATION WAS UNCLEAR. THE PLAN IS PREMISED ON TWO CENTRAL THEMES. FIRST, ANY TRANSFER FROM THE COURTS TO THE DEPARTMENT MUST BE VOLUNTARY. SECOND, ANY VOLUNTARY TRANSFERS MUST INCLUDE A TRANSFER OF ALL SERVICES CURRENTLY PROVIDED OR PURCHASED BY THE COURTS. THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROVISION OR PURCHASE OF SERVICES FOR THE PREVENTION, CONTROL, AND TREATMENT OF DELINQUENCY AND NEGLECT IS CURRENTLY DIVIDED PRINCIPALLY BETWEEN THE JUVENILE COURTS AND THE DEPARTMENT. STUDIES SUGGEST THAT A SINGLE SERVICES SYSTEM WOULD BE BETTER COORDINATED AND WOULD LESSEN UNEQUAL SERVICES FROM COUNTY TO COUNTY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE DUAL SYSTEM BE ELIMINATED GRADUALLY THROUGH SEVERAL LEGISLATIVE CHANGES; THAT JUDICIAL AND EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES BE DISTINGUISHED; AND THAT STAFF AND FACILITIES SHOULD BE TRANSFERRED ON A COUNTY-BY-COUNTY BASIS UPON REQUEST OF LOCAL OFFICIALS. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSFER PROCESS SHOULD BE INTEGRATED WITH THE STATE APPROPRIATION PROCESS, AND BOTH LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS SHOULD HAVE AUTHORITY TO STOP ANY TRANSFER DURING NEGOTIATIONS. THE STATE SHOULD PAY 60 PERCENT OF THE COSTS OF TRANSFERRED SERVICES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF DETENTION, AND THE COUNTY JUVENILE OFFICER SYSTEM SHOULD BE ELIMINATED. FINALLY, LEGISLATION WHICH PERMITS THE COURT TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE SERVICES WITHOUT A COURT COMMITMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE REPEALED. A UNIFIED SYSTEM OF SERVICES WITH CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY IS CRITICAL TO MICHIGAN'S ABILITY TO ADVANCE ITS SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEM. TABLES AND APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PLAN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LWM)