The Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974
The United States Congress adopted the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) to deal with juvenile offenders and rehabilitation. The Act specifies when a juvenile may be sent to an adult prison and when he may not. States that adopt this Act must comply with the rules and regulations of the Act.
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Purpose
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The JJDPA prevents minors from going to adult prisons. The purpose of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) was to remove children from adult prisons and to alter the juvenile court system as a whole. The Act was first established in 1974.
Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders
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Skipping school can lead to community service. Part of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act focused on punishing juveniles known as "status offenders." Status offenders are juveniles who have broken child laws, such as skipping school or breaking curfew. The Act stated that these juveniles should be punished with community service, and other such programs, as compared to prison time.
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Limitations
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MInors in adult prisons cannot come in contact with adult inmates. Juveniles may be locked up in adult prisons following a court hearing, for up to six hours, and for up to 24 hours in some rural areas. However, they may not be in contact with any adult inmates. Any juvenile tried as an adult will be sentenced to an adult prison.
Minorities
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If the number of minorities locked up exceeds the number of minorities in that group who are free in the general public, then the issue must be addressed. The purpose of this provision is to prevent minorities from being unfairly locked up or given longer sentences.
Reporting
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Michigan must file reports with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. All states must comply with the requirements of the Juvenile Justice
Delinquency Prevention Act in order to receive federal funding. In Michigan, for example, reports must be filed with the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to ensure that all requirements are being met.
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References
Resources
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