NCJ Number
101676
Date Published
1986
Length
73 pages
Annotation
A needs assessment regarding juvenile detention in the most northwestern part of Virginia concluded that another secure facility should not be built, even though this area contains no secure detention facility.
Abstract
The area studied includes both the 20th judicial district and half of the 26th judicial district. Local officials note that several factors indicate the need for a secure detention facility. These factors are the increasing populations, the large costs of housing juveniles in facilities in other areas, the lengthy travel involved, and the pending legislation that would remove juveniles from jail. However, the potential costs of building and operating a new secure facility currently outweigh the costs of the current placement system. In addition, the average daily population is not large enough to justify another facility, and the use of existing facilities has not consistently increased. Moreover, the removal of juveniles from jail may decrease the use of detention and provide the impetus for more innovative and alternative forms of child care. Areas needing further study are alternative juvenile placements, ways to increase the use of less secure facilities, alternative funding for transportation, the appropriateness of current referrals to detention, and the effects of the pending legislation. Footnotes, tables, and appended map.