NCJ Number: 114218
Title: Targeting Serious Juvenile Offenders Can Make a Difference
Corporate Author: US Dept of Justice
Date Published: 1988
Page Count: 5
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice/
Grant Number: 87-JN-CX-0013(S-2)
Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
Document: PDF
Type: Program/Project Description
Language: English
Country: United States of America
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.
Main Term(s): Serious juvenile offenders
Index Term(s): Aftercare/juvenile parole; Drunk driver programs; Juvenile case management; Juvenile correctional programs; Juvenile program evaluation
Note: Portions of this Update appeared in the September-October 1988 issue of NIJ Reports.
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=114218
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