PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY FOR CORRECTIONS PROGRAMS (FROM JUVENILE JUSTICE - THE HUMAN DIMENSION - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS, 1978, BY LADY BROWN AND JUNE BERRY - SEE NCJ-50131)

• NCJ Number: 50142
• Author(s): R JACKSON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Junior League of Lubbock, Inc; Texas Cmtte for the Humanities and Public Policy; National Endowment for the Humanities
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE FAILURE OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS TO REHABILITATE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS IS NOTED, AND COMMUNITIES ARE URGED TO PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPING DIVERSIONARY ALTERNATIVES ESPECIALLY FOR STATUS OFFENDERS.

Abstract

IN TEXAS, PROBLEM CHILDREN USUALLY ARE SENT TO THE STATE ORPHAN'S HOME FOR REHABILITATION. ONLY 17 PERCENT OF THIS POPULATION IS INSTITUTIONALIZED DUE TO SERIOUS CRIME, BUT MANY WILL BECOME CRIMINALS AFTER ENTERING THE SYSTEM. COMMUNITIES MUST DEVELOP ALTERNATIVES TO HANDLE THESE CHILDREN. SCHOOLS ARE URGED TO BE MORE SYMPATHETIC TO THE NEEDS OF SINGLE PARENT CHILDREN. ALTERNATIVES SUGGESTED FOR STATUS OFFENDERS INCLUDE SMALL GROUP HOMES SIMULATING FAMILY UNITS, DAY CARE PROGRAMS ENABLING THE CHILD TO STAY AT HOME AND ATTEND SCHOOL UNDER SUPERVISION, AND HALFWAY HOUSES. PROPERLY TRAINED POLICE SHOULD DIVERT RATHER THAN ARREST A CHILD WHEN POSSIBLE, AND ALTERNATIVES SUCH AS RESTITUTION SHOULD REPLACE DETENTION. THE SOONEST POSSIBLE INTERVENTION WITH A JUVENILE'S PROBLEM IS RECOMMENDED. (DAG)