NCJ Number
132605
Date Published
1990
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The transformation of Utah's juvenile justice system toward a multifaceted series of community-based programs is described and evaluated through recidivism studies.
Abstract
A key factor in the success of the system is the screening session that precedes the judge's decision about disposition of each youth. In this screening, a group of professionals familiar with the resources available review the case and advise the judge about placement. The options include secure care in small community-based residential programs such as Decker Lake, observation and assessment units, group homes, proctor and tracking services, and a transition center. The transitional program provides intensive supervision and counseling in dealing with real world problems for the first three months back in the community. In 1988, 446 youths participated in community residential programs and some 200 youths received non-residential services. A vendor system in which the Division of Youth Services pays private providers only for services actually used was implemented to deal with the decreased government funding sources. The positive effects of Utah's reform are manifested in the number of youths deinstitutionalized and placed in community-based programs, the State's success in limiting the number of youths assigned to high-security facilities, and recidivism data. 9 notes