NCJ Number
133074
Date Published
1991
Length
214 pages
Annotation
Five special surveys were conducted by the Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University in 1990 to obtain information on official practices involving Texas juveniles.
Abstract
The surveys focused on juvenile probation, juvenile detention, and the Texas Youth Commission. Of 225 questionnaires mailed out statewide, 201 or 89 percent were completed and returned. It was found that Texas is experiencing a crisis in its juvenile justice system. At least 31 percent of those under 21 years of age who are sentenced to the Texas Department of Corrections had a previous history of commitment to a juvenile correctional facility. Juvenile arrests, referrals to juvenile probation departments, and commitments to the Texas Youth Commission have grown proportionally faster than the number of juveniles between 10 and 16 years of age in the State. From 1983 to 1986, juvenile arrests for violent, property, and drug offenses rose 47.9, 24.4, and 11.1 percent, respectively. Total referrals to the juvenile justice system increased 29 percent over the same period, led by a 51.1 percent increase in referrals for violent offenses. The Texas juvenile justice system is structurally fragmented, although a committee representing the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and the Texas Youth Commission has recommended system reforms. In addition, the State Legislature has taken steps toward centralizing juvenile services. In the current environment of funding constraints, Texas must provide visionary leadership, train juvenile justice professionals to provide better services, and educate the public about juvenile justice system needs. Appendixes provide additional information on proposals for Texas' juvenile justice system and the survey results. Endnotes, tables, and figures