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Children in Custody 1987: A Comparison of Public and Private Juvenile Custody Facilities

NCJ Number
127675
Author(s)
T P Thornberry; S E Tolnay; T J Flanagan; P Glynn
Date Published
1991
Length
113 pages
Annotation
The Children in Custody (CIC) Census is conducted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention every other year to collect data from public and private residential facilities holding youth in custody.
Abstract
The CIC Census recorded 91,646 juveniles in custody during 1987 in 3,302 public and private juvenile detention, correctional, and shelter facilities across the United States. Most juveniles (53,503) were held in 1,107 public facilities, and the remainder (38,143) in 2,195 private facilities. Most residents in public facilities were confined for delinquent acts, while most residents in private facilities were held for status offenses or dependency. Although 52 percent of juveniles in custody were white, rates for black and Hispanics were disproportionately high. Total admissions to public and private juvenile facilities increased by 4 percent between 1975 and 1987. Selected characteristics of public and private facilities are compared in detail. These facilities represent a broad spectrum of residential programs for accused or adjudicated juvenile delinquents and status offenders. Some facilities also house youth who have been detained, committed, or voluntarily admitted for treatment or placement because of abuse, dependency, neglect, and other reasons. The facilities include juvenile detention centers, shelters, reception and diagnostic centers, training schools, camps, ranches, and group homes. Statistical data are given on resident populations, reasons for custody, admissions and discharges, staff characteristics, operating expenses, and educational and counseling programs. Appendixes provide additional data on the 1987 CIC Census. 36 tables and 18 figures