NCJ Number
58182
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 11 Issue: 6 Dated: (DECEMBER 1976) Pages: 19-20,22-24
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
DUE TO A SHARP UPSURGE IN THE MICHIGAN PUBLIC'S FEAR OF CRIME, THE TREND TOWARD DIVERSIFICATION OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS SERVICES IS IN DANGER OF BEING HALTED.
Abstract
MICHIGAN HAS WITNESSED GREATER EXPANSION AND DIVERSIFICATION IN JUVENILE CORRECTIONS THAN EVER BEFORE IN THE STATE'S HISTORY. HOWEVER, VIOLENCE THAT OCCURRED IN DETROIT IN THE SUMMER OF 1975 (ATTRIBUTED TO PERSONS UNDER 17) HAS GIVEN RISE TO A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE IN BOTH CORRECTIONAL AUTHORITIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE CRACKDOWN CENTERED IN THE DETROIT AREA, AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE IT WAS ACCOMPANIED BY PUBLIC CHARGES THAT SERIOUS OFFENDERS WERE BEING RELEASED WITHOUT CONCERN FOR THE RISK TO THE COMMUNITY. MORE RESPONSIBILITY WAS PLACED ON COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICE DIRECTORS, AND THE MONITORING ROLE OF ITS PAROLE AND REVIEW BOARD WAS ENHANCED. THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES ANNOUNCED THAT JUVENILES FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLENT FELONIES WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE COMMITTED TO SECURE-CUSTODY FACILITIES AND OTHERS IN COMMUNITY PLACEMENTS WOULD BE MORE CAREFULLY REVIEWED FOR POSSIBLE INSTITUTIONALIZATION. THE ARTICLE REVIEWS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN MICHIGAN; ANALYZES THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO COUNTY COURTS FOR PLACEMENT OF DELINQUENTS RANGING FROM A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS IN WEALTHY COUNTIES TO EITHER PROBATION OR INSTITUTIONALIZATION IN POOR COUNTIES; DESCRIBES THE SCHOOLS' PROGRAMS AND ALSO RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR DELINQUENTS IN MICHIGAN (IN PARTICULAR CHILDREN'S VILLAGE, A COMPLEX OF SEVEN MODERN BRICK BUILDINGS WITH A TOTAL BED SPACE OF 237.) THE WORK OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SERVICES COMMISSION, ESTABLISHED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO STUDY THE OVERALL JUVENILE JUSTICE EFFORT IN MICHIGAN, IS REVIEWED. COMPOSED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM PUBLIC AND PRIVATE JUVENILE JUSTICE AGENCIES ON THE STATE AND LOCAL LEVELS, THE COMMISSION WAS GRANTED AN UNUSUAL DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, AS WELL AS ADMINSTRATIVE CONTROL OVER THE DISTRIBUTION TO COUNTIES OF $17 MILLION IN STATE CHILD CARE FUNDS. THE ARTICLE IS ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS. (MJW)