NCJ Number
129146
Editor(s)
B Britton,
B Hope,
T Locke,
L Wainman
Date Published
1990
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes a 2-day seminar on policy formulation and information in juvenile justice systems for senior managers from Social Services, Probation, and the Police Departments held July 1987 in Newcastle upon Tyne. A framework is presented for planning juvenile justice services based on systems management and current approaches in the U.S. that covers diverse topics such as economics and systems modeling.
Abstract
Cost effectiveness analysis of juvenile justice services in policy planning are examined. Difficulties encountered in such studies include hidden costs and reliance on averages and relative effects of resources and non-resource factors on outcomes. A dynamic model is developed for the juvenile justice system with particular focus on key relationships within the system and feedback mechanisms which underpin its goal seeking nature. Computer simulation of this model is described, and the process for designing and implementing such an information system is outlined that covers information mapping within and between juvenile justice agencies. Specific attention is given to data collection, storage, analysis, and retrieval on a regular basis. Current governmental policy on juvenile offenders is outlined, and speculations on policy development in this field are presented. 55 references