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NCJRS Abstract

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NCJ Number:	94002

Title:	California's Youthful Offenders (18 to 21) - Is Commitment to the Youth Authority Still an Option?

Journal:	Criminal Justice Journal Volume:6 Issue:1 Dated:(Fall 1982) Pages:55-70

Author(s):	E L Norbeck

Date Published:	1982

Page Count:	23

Format:	Article

Language:	English

Country:	United States of America

Annotation:	Although California's program of youth corrections is officially committed to serving youthful offenders (ages 18-21) on the basis of need rather than chronological age, recent trends would indicate that a greater number of offenders aged 18-21 are being denied access to the rehabilitative programs of the Youth Authority.

Abstract:	California's program of youth corrections is unique compared to similar programs in other States in that it is based on the 'youthful offender's concept,' which avoids the separation of offenders according to age in favor of channeling youth to programs based on need. In the past 42 years, California has seen a significant erosion of the original philosophy underlying the Youth Authority Act. The act's supporters as well as the general public clearly desired that the State's youthful offenders have the opportunity to be committed to rehabilitative programs rather than to be sent to State prisons. Statistics compiled by the Youth Authority itself indicate that presently only a minimal number of young adults are being offered rehabilitative options based on need. An increasing number of young adult offenders not accepted by the Youth Authority are becoming the youngest members of the State prison population. California courts, while aware of the consequences of sending young offenders into the State prison system, have not yet challenged the Youth Authority's wide discretionary powers. This may be necessary to effect a change in the alarming trend. Tabular data and 87 footnotes are provided.

Index Term(s):	California; Incarceration; Treatment offender matching; Youthful offenders



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