Comprehensive Juvenile Justice in State Legislatures

Source: (1998) Washington, DC: US Dept of Justice. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Video

This teleconference video presents panel presentations and call-in questions pertinent to the enactment of comprehensive juvenile justice legislation in State legislatures, with attention to juvenile delinquency prevention and early intervention, graduated sanctions and restorative justice, and the management of serious and violent young offenders. Three panelists provide an overview of the elements of comprehensive juvenile justice legislation. The presentations address the following goals of a comprehensive framework for juvenile justice: to strengthen families; support core institutions to reduce risk factors; counter risk factors with protective factors; intervene when delinquency first occurs; establish graduated sanctions that hold offenders accountable while providing services; and identify and control the small segment of serious, violent, and chronic juvenile offenders. Three panelists discuss legislative action pertinent to juvenile delinquency prevention and early intervention. Panelists note that a number of State legislatures are supporting programs and service coordination efforts that allow school-age children and youth to remedy problems before they escalate into serious criminal behavior. Legislatures are establishing policy frameworks that encourage broad-based, collaborative prevention and intervention, including comprehensive services often provided in school or neighborhood-based centers. The range of services includes recreation, conflict resolution, family support, structured mentoring, supervised after-school programs, truancy intervention, and job preparation. Three panelists consider legislation that focuses on graduated sanctions and restorative justice for juveniles. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.