NCJ Number
69359
Date Published
1980
Length
528 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT OF THE NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION (NAC) RECOMMENDS 286 STANDARDS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND OUTLINES A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION.
Abstract
FIVE BASIC THEMES BIND THE RECOMMENDATIONS TOGETHER: (1) THE FAMILY SHOULD REMAIN THE BASIC UNIT OF OUR SOCIAL ORDER AND SHOULD BE SUPPORTED; (2) GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR AUTHORITY; (3) AGE IS NOT A VALID BASIS FOR DENYING PROCEDURAL PROTECTIONS WHEN FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ARE THREATENED; (4) THE OPTION WHICH LEAST INTRUDES UPON LIBERTY AND PRIVACY SHOULD BE PREFERRED WHENEVER THERE IS A CHOICE AMONG VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES; AND (5) SERVICES SHOULD ACHIEVE REHABILITATION WITHIN THE SHORTEST PERIOD OF TIME. BASED ON THE THEMES, THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED IN SEVERAL CHAPTERS DEALING WITH SPECIFIC ISSUES IN JUVENILE JUSTICE, ALTHOUGH A GENERAL PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING STANDARDS AT THE STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL LEVELS IS INCLUDED. THE PREVENTION CHAPTER RECOMMENDS 37 POSSIBLE PREVENTION STRATEGIES WHICH FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL, SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND SOCIAL INTERACTION. THE ADMINISTRATION SECTION ADDRESSES THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ENTIRE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND RECOMMENDS STANDARDS REGARDING THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, PLANNING AND COORDINATION, EVALUATION, PERSONNEL SELECTION AND TRAINING, AND THE COLLECTION AND USE OF RECORDS. THE STANDARDS OF INTERVENTION DELINEATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH INTERVENTION IS APPROPRIATE, OUTLINE CRITERIA FOR INTERVENTION IN DELINQUENCY, NONCRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, AND NEGLECT AND ABUSE CASES; AND DEFINE RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES WHICH SHOULD APPLY FOLLOWING INTERVENTION. THE STANDARDS ON ADJUDICATION RECOMMEND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FAMILY COURT WITH JURISDICTION OVER ALL MATTERS AFFECTING JUVENILES AND THEIR FAMILIES OTHER THAN TORT, CONTRACTUAL, AND PROBATE QUESTIONS. FINALLY, THE STANDARDS ON SUPERVISION RECOMMEND THAT THE STATE SHOULD ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING NECESSARY SUPERVISION PROGRAMS. THEY ALSO ADDRESS RESIDENTIAL AND NONRESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND OUTLINE JUVENILE RIGHTS IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND UNDER COMMUNITY SUPERVISION. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)