Addressing Risk but not Needs in Juvenile Intake: An Evaluation of Alternatives to Juvenile Detention

• In Event: Juvenile Intake and Detention

Abstract

Our research project is an evaluation of the array of alternatives to detention in a large Midwestern county. The evaluation includes qualitative research in the form of interviews and focus groups of relevant stakeholders, including service providers, juvenile intake staff, juvenile probation officers, judges, prosecuting attorneys and service providers. We supplement these findings with an exploratory analysis of quantitative data on juvenile intakes, alternatives to detention, and the use of juvenile detention. Issues of concern are a very high override rate of the Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI), disproportionate minority contact, and detention of low- and medium-risk youth. Our evaluation activities indicate overrides of the RAI and the seemingly unnecessary detention of youth most often occur as a result of warrants and the inadequate attention to criminogenic needs. Not only are needs not assessed at intake, but needs that are identified are also left unmet due to structural impediments and a scarcity of resources. Our research will highlight the major challenges to effective practices for serving this youth population that emerge from our qualitative and quantitative work and provide recommendations for reforming policy and practice.

Authors

• Ryan Spohn, University of Nebraska-Omaha

• Madison Schoenbeck, University of Nebraska-Omaha

• Joseph Mroz, University of Nebraska-Omaha

• Joseph Allen, University of Nebraska-Omaha

• Roni Reiter-Palmon, University of Nebraska-Omaha