SEEN BUT NOT HEARD - A SURVEY OF GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS IN JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

• NCJ Number: 19612
• Author(s): J M KEATING; K M GILLIGAN; V A MCARTHUR; M K LEWIS; L R SINGER
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 104 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Executive Office of the President
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Correctional Justice
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STUDY OF THE AVAILABILITY OF NON-JUDICIAL GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS IN JUVENILE AND YOUNG OFFENDER FACILITIES NATIONWIDE AND THE POPULARITY OF VARIOUS TYPES.

Abstract

QUESTIONNAIRES WERE MAILED TO 913 PRIVATELY-OPERATED, FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL JUVENILE FACILITIES. SIXTYFIVE PERCENT OF THE INSTITUTIONS SURVEYED COMPLETED THE QUESTIONNAIRE. RESPONSES INDICATED THAT 59.4 PERCENT OF THE INSTITUTIONS HAD A SPECIFIC PROGRAM FOR HANDLING GRIEVANCES, INCLUDING A MAJORITY OF INSTITUTIONS HOUSING MORE THAN 50 YOUTHS FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER. MORE PROGRAMS USED FORMAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES AS OPPOSED TO OMBUDSMEN. THE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES IN 16 INSTITUTIONS IN EIGHT STATE JUDGED TO HAVE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS WERE OBSERVED IN ON-SITE VISITS. ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS WHICH APPEAR TO BE NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE GRIEVANCE MECHANISMS IN JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS: SIMPLICITY, GUARANTEED WRITTEN RESPONSES TO ALL COMPLAINTS, SPEED, RESIDENT PARTICIPATION, OUTSIDE REVIEW, ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP, ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUTHS AND LINE STAFF, ORIENTATION, AND THE PRESENCE OF A MONITORING OR REVIEW PROCESS.