NCJ Number
89479
Journal
Corrections Magazine Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (June 1983) Pages: 12-20
Date Published
1983
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Pennsylvania law prohibits the detention of juveniles in jail, and provision has been made for pretrial care alternatives such as foster care, shelter care, and in-home detention.
Abstract
In 1976, the Pennsylvania State legislature adopted Act 148, which gave local governments a financial incentive to provide services in community-based programs rather than in State institutions or detention centers. Under previous law, the State had paid 100 percent of the cost of housing delinquents in State institutions and 50 percent of the cost of local programs. Effective in 1978, the new system provided State reimbursements to the counties for 75-90 percent of community-based programs but only 50 percent of detention costs. Although the State later put a 'cap' on these reimbursements, they still provide some $105 million to the counties for child welfare and juvenile justice services. The second legislative milestone was Act 41, passed in 1977, which makes it unlawful for any person in charge of or employed by a jail knowingly to receive for detention any person he/she has reason to believe is a child. The bill also included an appropriation of $1.5 million in State funds plus a commitment of forthcoming Federal funds to help build or renovate regional juvenile detention centers. Although juvenile judges had been skeptical of the impact of the legislation, because of their perception of a meagerness of alternative programs, it put pressure on judges and probation officials to think more creatively about alternatives. One alternative that has proven effective is foster care. Probation officers place the children in those homes that have a style of supervision best suited to the assessed needs of the juvenile. The Cenacle Shelter in Harrisburg offers short-term crisis intervention for up to 10 delinquency and child welfare clients. In-home detention provides that juveniles remain in their homes, with daily checks by probation officers.