NCJ Number
79976
Date Published
1981
Length
54 pages
Annotation
A resource for communities and juvenile justice personnel, this booklet describes 20 programs providing specialized services to serious juvenile offenders.
Abstract
The programs include community-based alternatives, nonresidential initiatives, and institutional services. They vary greatly in size and in approach, i.e., from family and milieu counseling, to intensive tracking and supervision, to contracts with youth, to wilderness and employment programs. Since a national definition of serious violent juvenile offenders has not been formulated, the programs surveyed have developed their own admission criteria calling the population serious, violent, chronic, or a combination of these. In addition, many community-based programs are faced with balancing humane treatment with public safety, and as monies become scarce, these programs are fighting for their existence. Furthermore, the legislative/judicial issues, such as waiver to adult court, mandatory sentencing for juveniles, and maximum age for juveniles, are being resolved differently in each State. Among the programs described are Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, Inc., Harrisburg, Pa.; Nexus, Minnetonka, Minn.; The Family Advocacy Council, Auburn, Maine; Project New Pride, Denver, Colo.; and Adobe Mountain School, Phoenix, Ariz. Each description contains the address, telephone number, and name of contact person. (Author summary modified)