Juvenile Justice Administration- Detention Policies

Juvenile Justice Administration- Detention Policies

Delacey Oliver

Kaplan University

Concept

The justice policy of juvenile is in dire need of balancing rehabilitation, public safety, and accountability and at the same time preserving the rights of juveniles. The justice process of a juvenile includes the detention phase which is an important and decisive. At this point the court is tasked with deciding on whether to confine a juvenile place them in correctional facility or allow them to remain at home as they await trial.  Most of the juveniles do not stay long in the detention as many spend a few nights but the effects that this may have are far reaching and long-term and may have consequences for both youth development and public safety.

Interrupts Education

 Some Secure detention sites have an environment that resembles that of an adult jail and juveniles may be exposed to this if detained there. There is a high likelihood of a juvenile to be found delinquent and sent to correctional centers when detained in secure detention during pretrial period as compared to those who are allowed to stay at home as they await adjudication. Detaining a juvenile can have far reaching effect on young person education and cause harm to youths who have a history of trauma or have mental health needs.

Policies should be formulated to ensure detention is avoided at the outset, reduce disproportionate minority contact, provide detention alternative, and improve confinement conditions which overall helps in reducing the money used by state as the population in detention facilities is reduced thus freeing up more funds for more effective safety solution for the general public.

Putting into place more effective alternative, efficient and fairer juvenile justice system will ensure that juveniles are not negatively impacted by secure detentions. The focus should shift from the detaining and locking young people away to keeping the juvenile in their communities while focusing of the issues that may have led them to criminal behavior.

Secure detention and sending a juvenile home are some of the many options that a juvenile court judge have.  Electronic monitoring, local treatment program and day and evening reporting centers are some of the available alternatives that a juvenile court judge can consider. There are increased and better supervision in these programs ensuring that juvenile will return to court and remains free pending disposition of court. Public safety may be a concern when the juvenile is arrest free but this shouldn’t be as he/she is released to parents, guardian and family member with strict conditions on activities, residence and movement. A young person can always be sent to a secure detention if they violate any conditions set upon release.  Community- based approach can be employed as when closer to their families or homes, youths create a positive attitude and connections with their communities as they receive the services and support they need as well.