NCJ Number
69418
Date Published
1976
Length
50 pages
Annotation
THE RESULTS OF A NEEDS STUDY OF THE JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS OF RACINE COUNTY ARE PRESENTED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE.
Abstract
THE REPORT, AUTHORIZED BY THE RACINE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, INVOLVED DATA-COLLECTION AND INTERVIEWS WITH COUNTY BOARD REPRESENTATIVES, RACINE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, RACINE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE JUVENILE SERVICES COMMITTEE, COUNTY SOCIAL SERVICES, JUVENILE COURT STAFF, THE JUDICIARY, ANDD PRIVATE AGENCIES. THE FOREMOST PURPOSE FOR THE RESEARCHING AGENCY (JOHN HOWARD ASSOCIATION) WAS TO DETERMINE WHETHER A NEW JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER LOCATED IN THE RACINE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER WAS NECESSARY. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RESULT IS THAT THE CURRENT RATE OF DETENTION IN RACINE COUNTY IS EXCESSIVE BY ANY REASONABLE STANDARD AND THAT LESS COSTLY AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION ARE NON-EXISTENT. THE SERVICES PRESENTLY AVAILABLE ARE INADEQUATE. BASED ON THESE FINDINGS, THE ASSOCIATION MAKES THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) A DELAY OF THE PROPOSED NEW JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER IN FAVOR OF OTHER SOLUTIONS, (2) THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A 24-HOUR COURT AND DETENTION SCREENING PROGRAM, (3) THE RECRUITING OF 15 TO 20 VOLUNTEER SHELTER CARE HOMES TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY TEMPORARY LIVING ARRANGEMENTS, (4) THE ESTABLISHING OF A HOME DETENTION PROGRAM TO SUPERVISE MINOR DELINQUENTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES OR IN OTHER COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, (5) THE CONTRACTING OF ABOUT 12 SECURE DETENTION SPACES IN TAYLOR HOMES, (6) THE EXPANSION OF PAID SHELTER CARE PROGRAMS, (7) AN INCREASED EFFORT TO DEVELOP PAID FOSTER CARE HOMES, AND (8) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW RUNAWAY CENTER. THE REPORT INCLUDES A COST COMPARISON BETWEEN THE PROPOSED NEW JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER AND ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS, A LIST OF INTERVIEWED PEOPLE, AND PRESENT DETENTION GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES IN RACINE COUNTY.