NCJ Number
196596
Journal
On Good Authority Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: August 2002 Pages: 1-4
Date Published
August 2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This impact evaluation report looks at three intensive juvenile probation projects in Peoria, Winnebago, and Christian counties, in the State of Illinois, to determine the extent that the three programs were affecting their respective target populations.
Abstract
The Peoria County Anti-Gang and Drug Abuse Unit targeted 119 juvenile offenders for study, from March 1998 through November 2002. These juveniles had been placed on probation for known gang-related behavior and/or substance abuse offenses. They either had extensive criminal histories or were adjudicated for serious criminal offenses, with 63 percent having a history of mental health issues, 56 percent having endured unstable home environments, and 98 percent having a history of substance abuse. The Winnebago County Juvenile Day Reporting Center targeted 117 juveniles, in a 4-month program, who were adjudicated for a serious felony and were at risk of residential placement or commitment to the Illinois Department of Corrections Juvenile Division. Participants were randomly tested for drugs twice each month, their field officers maintained contact with the participants and with 76 percent of the juveniles' families, and 50 percent of the schools that the participants attended. The Christian County Juvenile Probation Intensive Extended Day Program targeted 31 juveniles as young as 10 years of age, for the duration of their probation who had not yet been adjudicated delinquent but had been under court supervision and were facing revocation or had a petition pending, and juveniles with a criminal history involving drugs or violence, providing them with an alternative to detention. Some recommendations for improving the programs include developing an assessment tool to identify mental health issues upon intake, conducting a court review of participant cases to ensure that they are held accountable if they do not progress through the program as required, developing aftercare services, adding weekend and late evening participant supervision, and developing screening criteria to identify juveniles most appropriate to participate in the program.