NCJ Number
83196
Date Published
1981
Length
290 pages
Annotation
The Wyoming juvenile justice system was evaluated to determine the availability of services for juveniles and the extent of the need for those services throughout the State.
Abstract
The evaluation was conducted from April 1980 through July 1981 and gathered data from a tracking system on the processing of juvenile cases throughout the justice system, visits and interviews in each of the State's 23 counties, questionnaires, and existing data archives. Findings revealed that Wyoming lacks a uniform juvenile justice system and has few formal standards in either laws or policy to guide the way juvenile justice decisions are made. About 1 of every 10 juveniles between ages 6 and 18 comes into contact with law enforcement officers each year. Large numbers of Wyoming juveniles are detained in adult jails. Courts of limited jurisdiction are often used for the adjudication of cases involving juveniles. Many community resources such as mental health centers are not effectively used. Relatively few juvenile offenders have multiple contacts with the justice system. About 20 percent to 30 percent of all cases have a second contact with the system, usually 2 to 3 months after release. The State should improve the coordination of juvenile services at both the county and State levels. Jurisdiction over all juvenile matters except traffic matters should be vested in the county courts as they come into being or in a separate family court. The use of multipurpose regional youth service centers should be tested. Wyoming should also make a concerted effort to reduce the numbers of children in adult jail facilities. Community mental health centers should be encouraged to do greater outreach among the juvenile services and judicial agencies in their communities. The entire Wyoming juvenile justice system should be reevaluated. Particular attention should be given to the appropriatemess of various dispositions for different classes of offenders. Additional recommendations, analyses and recommendations for each county, a list of 15 references, and a list of 15 suggested readings are provided. (Author summary modified)