NCJ Number
43947
Date Published
1977
Length
28 pages
Annotation
INFORMATION ON THE NUMBER, CHARACTERISTICS, CHARGES, LENGTHS OF DETENTION, AND RETURN RATE OF ALL WESTCHESTER YOUTHS, AGES 15-20, WHO WERE DETAINED IN JAIL DURING 1976, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
BASED ON THE FINDINGS, THE RESEARCH SUGGESTS CERTAIN GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR PROGRAM PLANNING IN THE JAIL. THERE IS GREATER NEED IN THE MEN'S UNIT OF THE JAIL THAN IN THE WOMEN'S UNIT. TWO TYPES OF PROGRAMS MAY BE INTRODUCED FOR YOUTH IN JAIL: A SHORT-TERM PROGRAM LASTING 2-3 WEEKS; AND A LONGER PROGRAM LASTING 6-8 WEEKS. THE STUDY REVEALS THAT THE LENGTH OF DETENTION FOR ACCUSED FELONY OFFENDERS IS LONGER THAN THAT FOR OTHER ACCUSED OFFENDERS. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF DETENTION, YOUTHS CHARGED FOR FELONY OFFENSES MAY BE ADMITTED TO THE LONGER PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM COULD PROVIDE VOCATIONAL SKILL TRAINING OR PERHAPS JOB COUNSELING AND PLACEMENT. A SHORT-TERM PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE COUNSELING OR TUTORING, OR A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR YOUTHS DETAINED ON CHARGES OF CRIMINAL POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. A VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE OR REPRESENTATIVE GROUP OF RECENTLY INCARCERATED YOUTHS COULD BE FORMED TO REPRESENT THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF THE YOUTH. THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS COMMITTEE COULD AID IN THE PLANNING OF THE APPROPRIATE YOUTH PROGRAM AT THE JAIL. THE RESEARCH ALSO POINTS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVE DETENTION NONSECURE FACILITIES, SINCE 77 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL CHARGES WERE FOR EITHER PROPERTY OFFENSES OR VICTIMLESS OFFENSES. THE NEED TO REDUCE THE LENGTH OF DETENTION OF ALL YOUTHS IN JAIL WHILE AWAITING TRIAL IS INDICATED.