HD60 - Reviewing Juvenile Probation Toward Developing a Balanced Approach to its Use in the Juvenile Justice System


Executive Summary:
House Joint Resolution 197 of the 1994 Virginia General Assembly requested that the Department of Youth and Family Services "review juvenile probation toward developing a balanced approach to its use in the juvenile justice system." In order to complete this task, a survey related to the probation process was distributed to the state's 35 court service unit (CSU) directors. Information collected in the survey included their objectives for probation, how these objectives are addressed, level of achievement in attaining these objectives and what factors affect the success or failure of the objectives. The CSU directors were also asked to indicate their level of knowledge concerning the 'Balanced Approach', their opinion of the 'Balanced Approach' and whether or not it was being utilized at their CSU.

The following conclusions may be drawn from this analysis of juvenile probation in Virginia:

• The CSU directors reported a wide variety of individual objectives for probation. At the same time, however, community protection, accountability, and competency development were the most reported objectives;

• Nearly all CSUs measured success in achieving the stated objectives. The study also found, however, that most assessments of these objectives were not conducted in a systematic fashion with little measurable evidence of achievement;

• Overall the CSU directors felt that they were successfully achieving the stated
objectives;
• The methods for addressing the most reported objectives of community protection, accountability, and competency development varied depending on CSU and community resources;

• In 89% of the CSUs, judges ordered other services in addition to supervision. Services ordered were reported to be specific to the youth and to the resources of the CSU and community. According to the directors, CSU staff frequently influence the disposition of a court-ordered probation case;

• The development and contents of service plans were consistent among the 35 CSUs, and;

• Most of the CSU directors expressed familiarity, and a favorable opinion of the 'Balanced Approach'. Based on the responses from the directors, it appears that most CSUs are taking a 'Balanced Approach' to probation, though they may not call it by that name.

Recommendations

The following recommendations can be made with respect to the findings of HJR 197:

• The Department should develop statewide guidelines for probation regardless of the 'Balanced Approach' and direct the CSUs to implement objectives for probation according to these statewide guidelines. The Department will need to assess what resources are available and needed in the court, CSU and community in order to implement these probation objectives;

• The Department should implement a statewide data system in the court service units to collect, organize and store data concerning CSU programs, services and characteristics of juveniles in the system;

• Once implementation of a statewide data system is complete, under the direction of the Department, each CSU should evaluate CSU programs and services to determine their effectiveness;

• If the Department determines that the 'Balanced Approach' is the endorsed method for delivering probation services, there are several implementation options:

* Statewide funding for full implementation of the 'Balanced Approach' which includes development of a mission statement for probation services, legislation and policy revisions, program development in the CSU and community, realignment and redesign of existing programs, personnel changes (retraining or hiring of new probation officers), and increasing established links between CSU and the community;

* Unfunded statewide mandate that all courts and CSUs fully implement the 'Balanced Approach' or;

* Establish pilot test sites which could seek training and technical assistance from the Balanced and Restorative Justice Project sponsored by OJJDP, in order to fully implement the 'Balanced Approach.'