NCJ Number
77585
Date Published
1977
Length
53 pages
Annotation
The numbers and ages of status offenders detained in South Carolina jails are reported for each of the first three quarters of 1976.
Abstract
Of the State's 46 counties 32 detained status offenders in both the first and third quarters. A total of 33 counties detained such offenders in the second quarter, while only 7 counties detained them in all 3 quarters. Only two counties did not detain status offenders during this period. A total of 1,652 status offenders were detained in all facilities during these 9 months. Status offenders constituted about 28 percent of all the youths held. The proportion of youthful offenders who were detained on status offenses decreased from quarter to quarter. Almost 72 percent of the status offenses were running away, while 8 percent involved incorrigibility; 7 percent, truancy; and 2 percent, curfew violations. Average detention time was 47.3 hours. A total of 28.5 percent were held over 48 hours. A total of 1.6 percent were aged 10 and under, 6.6 percent were 11 and 12, 11.4 percent were 13, 21.5 percent were 14, and about 29 percent each were 15 and 16. About half were males and half were females. Moreover, just over four-fifths were white and about one-fifth were black. Analysis of county-by-county data for the first quarter indicated the need for shelter facilities and foster home care for status offenders. Extensive tables are provided.