NCJ Number
247725
Date Published
April 1993
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This report presents the number of juveniles in custody in State public facilities in 1991, the number and types of public facilities, the types of offenses committed by these juveniles, and the custody rate.
Abstract
There were 57,542 juveniles in 1,076 public facilities in 1991. This was the largest population of juveniles in public facilities since the census began in 1974. These figures represent a 2.5-percent increase over 1989. During the same period, the census indicated a 2-percent decrease in the number of facilities. The overall custody rate was 221 juveniles in custody per 100,000 juveniles. This rate remained the same as in 1989; however, the juvenile population on the census date did increase from 53,503 to 57,542. These rates account only for juveniles ages 10 to the upper age of juvenile court jurisdiction. In most States, juvenile courts and, by extension, juvenile custody authorities retained jurisdiction over juveniles until age 17; however, some States extend jurisdiction only to age 15 or 16. In many States, the correctional agencies' continuing jurisdiction may extend beyond the age of juvenile court jurisdiction. Of the juveniles in these public facilities, 95 percent were in custody for delinquency offenses (those that would be considered criminal if committed by an adult). Only 5 percent were in custody because of status offenses (offenses that would not be illegal if committed by an adult). Of the 1,076 public facilities, there were 439 detention centers, 279 halfway houses, 204 training schools, 71 camps, 61 shelters, and 22 reception centers. The response rate for the public facilities was virtually 100 percent. Of the 1,119 that responded 1,076 (96 percent) met the criteria of a juvenile detention, correctional, or shelter facility.