NCJ Number
110997
Date Published
Unknown
Length
29 pages
Annotation
The Mayor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Group has studied the District of Columbia's juvenile justice system and recommends actions in four major areas: (1) juvenile justice philosophy and policy, (2) coordinated oversight and monitoring of the system, (3) microissues in education, values, basic support services, populations with special needs, and prevention, and (4) macroissues from arrest to aftercare.
Abstract
Study data were gathered between January 1986 and August 1987 and came from interviews, discussions with agency officials and youths, public hearings, and literature reviews. The analysis indicates the need for a clear statement of the District's juvenile justice and delinquency prevention policy and better coordinated and more effective prevention and justice services in both the public and private sectors. Further needs are consistent monitoring and evaluation and a concerted effort to prevent delinquency through early intervention strategies and programs. Keeping youth in school and recapturing dropouts through the proposed alternative education system called Street School are crucial elements of the strategy to reduce delinquency. Improved vocational training and jobs with adequate pay are also needed. The District of Columbia also needs rehabilitation efforts for youths for whom prevention is not effective, based on a comprehensive service plan for each youth and effective service delivery by public and private agencies. Table, photographs, and case histories.