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Juveniles in Jail in Kansas

NCJ Number
99770
Author(s)
T Showalter; J Buerge; D O'Brien; L Z Barclay
Date Published
1984
Length
111 pages
Annotation
An analysis of issues related to the removal of juveniles from adult jails in Kansas and other reforms in detaining juveniles concluded that jail removal will require better coordination of juvenile detention practices as well as alternatives to secure detention.
Abstract
Official statistics; information from a study of 1,310 (The custody reports; and data from a survey to which 45 administrative judges responded formed the basis for much of the analysis. Kansas currently jails as many as 1,500 youths per year. Another 1,800 youths are detained in secure juvenile detention centers. Almost 60 percent are released within 48 hours. The judges surveyed said that they need access to secure detention facilities for youths. They noted problems in transportation to current facilities, the high costs of new ones, and the limited space currently available. They also expressed the need for more foster homes and shelters for runaways and other emergencies. The Community Research Center of the University of Illinois has indicated that removing minor offenders and children in need of care from secure detention could cut the number of youths thus detained by 49 to 75 percent.) Kansas State needs legislation to mandate the removal of all youth from adult jails and to mandate detention criteria to limit the use of secure juvenile detention. Nonsecure alternatives are also needed. Five more recommendations, suggested criteria, and appendixes presenting individual studies and background information are supplied.