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Targeting Serious Juvenile Offenders Can Make a Difference

NCJ Number
114218
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A 2-year program, the Habitual Serious and Violent Juvenile Offender Program, was implemented and evaluated in 13 jurisdictions.
Abstract
The program aimed at identifying, selectively prosecuting, and enhancing treatment of serious juvenile offenders. Overall, results indicate that prosecutors' offices can successfully implement programs targeted toward such offenders and that such programs can result in speedier outcomes, more guilty findings, more correctional commitments, and reductions in plea bargaining. The programs successfully targeted serious, habitual juvenile offenders by devoting increased resources to serious cases, using vertical prosecution, and using more experienced prosecutors. The programs also worked more closely with victims and witnesses. The program resulted in changes in case handling, including improved police-prosecutor communication, assignment of more experienced attorneys, higher quality case preparation, better quality of information for disposition and sentencing, and greater preadjudication detention. Correctional efforts varied widely over sites. Some sites focused on monitoring treatment plans, others used funds to cover gaps in treatment, and several included intensive aftercare services. Correctional services that appeared to operate most comfortably with targeted prosecution involved presentence assessment and subsequent monitoring of compliance. While funding for the projects ended in 1987, program components have been retained at some of the sites.