Juvenile justice is changing rapidly. As States transfer or exclude juveniles from juvenile court jurisdiction, the composition of the population in juvenile detention facilities will change, often in unanticipated ways. For example, many States can now blend juvenile and criminal sentences so that an individual will serve a sentence in juvenile corrections until reaching the age of majority and then be transferred to an adult facility. In the past, most juveniles stayed in juvenile facilities a relatively short time, about 9 to 12 months. Although the population serving blended sentences is relatively small, these youth usually stay in juvenile facilities longer than youth serving dispositions from juvenile courts and therefore consume a disproportionate share of facility resources. Also, juveniles detained while awaiting hearings for transfer to criminal court may be detained much longer than other juveniles processed in juvenile court.
Criminal corrections will also feel the results of the changing juvenile transfer policies. Several States already are struggling to deal with the increased youth population in their prison and jail systems. These systems are not equipped to handle the special needs of young offenders, including educational services, nutritional requirements, and separation from adult criminals. Some States (such as Colorado) have set up separate corrections systems for young offenders, defined as those persons in the criminal justice system who are younger than age 21. As this population increases, States face the task of developing programs to prepare these individuals for release to the community. States also need to train corrections staff, who generally deal only with adults, to work with youth. The administrators and directors of corrections systems are looking to other States and the Federal Government for assistance and guidance in dealing with young offenders.
OJJDP has a history of supporting and funding innovative programs to strengthen juvenile correction systems. As demonstrated by the initiatives discussed in this chapter, OJJDP is continuing this support. The variety of funded programs is designed to help improve the management of juvenile residential facilities, help States use their resources effectively and efficiently, protect the public, and meet the needs of juvenile offenders.
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| OJJDP Annual Report 1998 | October 1999 | |