Detention in Delinquency Cases, 1988-1997

• NCJ Number: 185231
• Author(s): Gillian Porter
• Date Published: November 2000
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)

Annotation

This fact sheet presents statistics related to juvenile detention and notes that the number of cases involving detention increased 35 percent between 1988 and 1997 and that the most dramatic change in the detention population was the influx of female juveniles charged with offenses against the person.

Abstract

The increase in juvenile detention paralleled the increase in the number of delinquency cases handled by juvenile courts. The proportion of delinquency cases detained remained relatively steady between 1988 and 1997 and amounted to 20 percent of the cases processed in 1988 and 19 percent of the cases processed in 1997. Twenty-seven percent of the delinquency cases involving black youth in 1997 included detention, compared with 15 percent for white youth. The use of detention remained relatively constant, with the exception of cases involving drug law offenses. The use of detention for juveniles between 1988 and 1997 also remained constant in relation to the youths’ ages. Table, figure, and explanation of sources of further information