NCJ Number
173703
Journal
Pennsylvania Progress Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: December 1994 Pages: -
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the structure, drafting, empirical measures, and implementation of Pennsylvania's development of performance-based juvenile detention standards.
Abstract
In 1991 the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency designated the Juvenile Detention Centers Association of Pennsylvania (JDCAP) to develop and implement performance-based standards for juvenile detention facilities. A performance-based standard is one that defines the desired outcomes to be achieved through programming versus merely providing for regulatory procedure. Performance-based standards also provide empirical measures to evaluate individual and/or organizational progress toward achieving each prescribed outcome. As approved by the Executive Board of JDCAP in November 1993, the Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Program Standards identify 47 desired outcomes in nine broad program areas. These are safety, security, and control; health services; education; recreation; family support and interaction; food services; therapeutic services; diagnostic services; and staff development. JDCAP also developed empirical measures to supplement the standards. These measures will provide the State and individual detention facilities with effective tools to measure progress toward obtaining the desired performance outcomes. JDCAP anticipates the publication of the outcome measures in the summer of 1995. Implementation efforts have sought to demonstrate that the new standards are both practical and attainable for local detention facilities. Some obstacles to overcome in the implementation of the standards are the identification of funding for standards implementation in local detention facilities, as well as overcrowding.