NCJ Number
18269
Date Published
1974
Length
90 pages
Annotation
NON-INVESTIGATIVE UNIT TO WHICH ARRESTED YOUTHS ARE DIVERTED FOR EXPANDED COUNSELING AND REFERRAL SERVICES IN PLACE OF TRADITIONAL REFERRALS INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THIS WAS THE FIRST YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU TO BE AFFILIATED WITH A LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS STARTED IN JULY, 1971. SUPPLEMENTARY PERSONNEL ARE BORROWED FROM PROBATION, SOCIAL SERVICES, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES. AN ESTIMATED 90 PERCENT OF THE YOUTH ARRESTED ARE BROUGHT INTO THE STATION AND ARE ISSUED CITATIONS TO APPEAR AT THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU. THE BUREAU CONSISTS OF TRAINED POLICE AND CIVILIAN STAFF AND SEES ALL CITED YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES AT LEAST ONCE. STAFF OFFERS COUNSELING, TUTORING, JOB ASSISTANCE; THEY DECIDE THE AMOUNT AND KIND OF SERVICE A JUVENILE REQUIRES. STAFF PROVIDES INFORMAL AND FORMAL GUIDANCE TO YOUTH WHO REQUIRE MORE THAN A STERN REPRIMAND. A YOUTH MAY BE REQUIRED TO COME IN TO SEE HIS COUNSELOR ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK FOR A THREE- OR FOUR-MONTH PERIOD. PLEASANT HILL EXPERIENCED A 59.1 PERCENT DECREASE IN THE REPRIMAND AND RELEASE DISPOSITION OF ARRESTS. THE OBJECTIVE OF DIVERTING 500 YOUTHS WAS ESSENTIALLY SATISFIED. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY DECREASES IN REFERRAL RATES TO THE JUVENILE HALL OF 29 PERCENT AND TO THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT OF 93 PERCENT ALONG WITH THE GREATLY EXPANDED USE OF THE YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU AND THE OTHER AGENCIES. INCLUDED ARE DATA ON THE COST OF THE PROGRAM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)