Beyond the Walls: Improving Conditions of Confinement for Youth in Custody

Abstract

Research and Program Development Division develops knowledge on national trends in juvenile delinquency; supports a program for data collection and information sharing that incorporates elements of statistical and systems development; identifies how delinquency develops and the best methods for its prevention, intervention, and treatment; and analyzes practices and trends in the juvenile justice system. Training and Technical Assistance Division provides juvenile justice training and technical assistance to Federal, State, and local governments; law enforcement, judiciary, and corrections personnel; and private agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations. Special Emphasis Division provides discretionary funds to public and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to replicate tested approaches to delinquency prevention, treatment, and control in such pertinent areas as chronic juvenile offenders, community-based sanctions, and the disproportionate representation of minorities in the juvenile justice system. State Relations and Assistance Division supports collaborative efforts by States to carry out the mandates of the JJDP Act by providing formula grant funds to States; furnishing technical assistance to States, local governments, and private agencies; and monitoring State compliance with the JJDP Act.

Addressing the Needs of Youth with Disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System: The Current State of Knowledge

“…Nor does CRIPA create any new substantive rights. It simply confers power on the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice to take legal action against state or local governments for failing to meet previously established constitutional or statutory rights of people institutionalized in publicly operated facilities (Puritz and Scali 1998). For incarcerated juveniles, these actions have relied primarily on three sources of federal rights: the Constitution, ADA, and IDEA (Rosenbaum 1999).…”

The education of juveniles in detention: Policy considerations and infrastructure development

“…For example, there are some documented strategies utilized by the state of New Mexico to effectively establish a continuum of educational services in correctional settings (Pasternack, Portillos, & Hoff, 1988). There are also some reports on how disability laws have been used to improve the conditions of confinement for the juveniles with disabilities (Puritz & Scali, 1998). The state of Florida, for example, utilizes Juvenile Assessment Centers (JACs) to complete comprehensive assessments at intake (Mears & Kelly, 1999).…”

Perceived Needs and Interests of Juveniles Held in Preventive Detention

“…However, despite its nearly 100-year existence, juvenile detention continues to suffer from a lack of consensus regarding its proper role and function (Roush, 1999). At its most basic, preventive juvenile detention is a process designed to provide shortterm secure confinement pending adjudication (Puritz & Scali, 1998). Lubow (1999) and Wordes and Jones (1998) identify two generally accepted purposes of preventive detention: to ensure that alleged delinquent youths appear in court and to protect the community by preventing youths from reoffending prior to disposition.…”

“…Understood this way, juvenile detention serves not only to ensure court appearances and to protect the community, but also to provide helpful programs to detained youths. Puritz and Scali (1998) are quick to point out, however, that while detention facilities should offer services, they should not attempt to provide longterm rehabilitative care. Roush (1996) concedes that detention is not geared toward rehabilitation but contends that helpful detention programs can start juveniles on the road to positive change.…”