NCJ Number
161612
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 2 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall-Winter 1995) Pages: 11-18
Date Published
1995
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974 is reviewed with respect to the progress it has produced and the challenges still ahead for the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The JJDP Act was the first Federal law to address juvenile delinquency in a comprehensive manner, combining Federal leadership, State planning, and community-based services to promote systemic improvement. The law has experienced two decades of bipartisan support. It was not the first juvenile delinquency law. However, by 1974, juvenile crime was widely regarded as a national problem. A consensus emerged that financial support alone was inadequate and that systemic reform was required. Three goals for Federal involvement emerged: reducing juvenile crime, decreasing the proportion of crime committed by juveniles, and improving methods for handling juveniles. The JJDP Act reaffirmed congressional support for removing juvenile status offenders from institutions. The law was reauthorized in 1977 and revised in minor ways in 1980. From 1981 to 1989, the budget gradually declined. Further amendments occurred in 1988 and 1992. Overall, the law has continued to balance efforts between justice system reform and prevention. Currently, 49 States are in full compliance with requirements to remove status offenders and nonoffenders from secure incarceration, while 40 States are in full compliance with mandates to separate juveniles from convicted adults and remove youth from adult jails. The mandates should be extended to cover appropriate funding under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. In addition, the President should convene a White House Conference on Juvenile Justice. Notes and 8 references