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Rethinking Juvenile Justice: National Statistical Trends

NCJ Number
123971
Date Published
1984
Length
45 pages
Annotation
Data are provided on the youth population in general, juvenile arrests, and juvenile confinement for 1971-1982.
Abstract
Youth population statistics for 1982 are based on the U.S. Census Bureau projected estimates by age, sex, and race. Population figures for 1971-79 are based on previous U.S. Census reports from the 1970 and 1980 national census. National data on juvenile arrests were collected from the Uniform Crime Reports compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, national juvenile court data are provided by the National Center of Juvenile Justice, and juvenile confinement data are based on the U.S. Census Bureau's survey known as "Children in Custody." This survey includes data on the number of admissions, characteristics of incarcerated youth, average daily population, staffing, expenditures, and average length of stay. Overall, data show that the at-risk juvenile population and juvenile arrests are declining, but juvenile detention and training school populations are increasing. Fewer youth are entering custody, but average length of stay is increasing. Expenditures are increasing, and the proportion of incarcerated youth who are blacks and Hispanics is increasing; whereas, the white population of incarcerated youth is decreasing. Figures and tables.