OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS RELEASES JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND VICTIMS: 2006 NATIONAL REPORT

            DENVER - The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs (OJP) today released Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report, the third in a series of comprehensive reports containing critical information about juvenile crime, victimization and the juvenile justice system. The 2006 National Report, part of OJP's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's research and data collection effort, provides a comprehensive view of the nature of juvenile crime and violence across the country. The first report was published in 1995 and the second report in 1999.

            "The information in this report is an indispensable resource for juvenile justice practitioners and others in the criminal justice profession," said Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs. "Communities will find this information extremely helpful as they identify specific risk and prevention factors while taking advantage of the community assessment tool available through the First Lady's Helping America's Youth Initiative."

            Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report draws upon reliable data and relevant research to provide a comprehensive and insightful view of juvenile crime across the nation. The report offers a clear view of juvenile crime and the criminal justice system's response at the beginning of the 21^st century.

            Key findings in the report include:

• One of every four violent crime victims known to law enforcement is a juvenile, and most of these victims are female. About one-third of juvenile violent crime victims known to law enforcement are under age 12.

• Self-reports by juvenile offenders show that two-thirds of youth who report committing a crime at ages 16 or 17 do not report committing a crime at ages 18 and 19.

• Unlike violent crimes, the timing of shoplifting by juveniles is similar on both school days and non-school days; however, the peak times are still between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

• After many years of increases, the juvenile custody population declined in 2001 and again in 2003. The juvenile violent crime arrest rate in 2003 was below the levels of the 1980s.

• The growth in the U.S. juvenile population (ages 0 through 17) between 2000 and 2020 will be far greater for Hispanic (58 percent) and Asian (59 percent) juveniles than for Native American (16 percent), black (9 percent), or white (7 percent) juveniles.

            Assistant Attorney General Schofield announced the release of the report today during the 33^rd National Conference on Juvenile Justice sponsored by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, in conjunction with the National District Attorneys Association.

            Helping America's Youth is a nationwide effort, initiated by the President and led by First Lady Laura Bush, to benefit children and teenagers by encouraging action in three key areas: family, school, and community. The Community Guide to Helping America's Youth helps communities build partnerships, assess their needs and resources and select from program designs that could be replicated in their community. It walks community groups through the steps necessary for building strong supports for youth. The Community Guide to Helping America's Youth is available at www.helpingamericasyouth.gov.

            The report includes information about the characteristics of juvenile populations; juvenile victims; juvenile offenders; juvenile justice system structure and process; law enforcement and juvenile crime; juvenile offenders in court; and juvenile offenders in correctional facilities. The 243-page report is well-indexed and organized for easy reference. The full report is available at www.usdoj.gov.

            The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP is headed by an Assistant Attorney General and comprises five component bureaus and an office: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy and OJP's American Indian and Alaska Native Affairs Desk. More information can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov.

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