NCJ Number
77564
Date Published
1981
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Findings and recommendations of the Georgia Senate's examination of the State juvenile justice system cover public school discipline, needed changes in service delivery, and the legislative response to troubled children's needs.
Abstract
The study committee held seven hearings in which it obtained testimony from public school officials, juvenile court judges and probation officers, and employees of State and private agencies which provide treatment and care services to juveniles. A standing committee on children and youth is needed to coordinate legislation affecting juveniles. The general assembly should enact senate bill 4, which creates a unified, State-financed system of juvenile courts and establishes minimum standards for juvenile judges and referees. Further, the bill establishes minimum salaries of juvenile judges commensurate with the responsibility and training demands of the office. While the cost of implementing the bill may be significant, two factors make it reasonable. The current system is fraught with hidden and deferred costs connected with its failure to deal effectively with delinquency, and all other proposals are either potentially far more expensive or far less effective. For both quality and economy, a unified probation system is recommended over the current fragmented county/city system. Concerning discipline in the school systems, the committee recommends the department of education fund programs for alternative schools and inschool suspension programs; guidelines to restrict the use of suspension and expulsion as a routine method of discipline should be formulated. Three additional alternative community-based programs, such as an outdoor therapeutic program, a group home, and a program for girls should be funded. Finally, the committee recommends further funding of a symbolic restitution program. An appendix provides a chronology of committee meetings.