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A HISTORY T he ever-growing rate of juvenile arrests among both males and females is a national concern. While Baker County residents often feel removed from both the nation and the state due to its rural location, small population, and relatively low overall crime-rate, the county shares a growing concern about the increase in juvenile crime. This growing concern is due in part to Baker County having the highest juvenile arrest rate in the State of Oregon, at 109.8 per thousand in 1998, compared to a state rate of 57.3 per thousand in the same year (Oregon Benchmarks County Data Book 1999).Budget cuts in national, state, county, municipal, and school budgets have shrunk resources dramatically, leaving many children and families without services. Concurrently, "get tough" measures have become the national answer to a growing population of criminals and offenders – both juvenile and adult. Research has begun to show that these new, tougher laws do not act as deterrents. The expense of incarceration far exceeds the cost of solid preventive measures taken when a youth begins exhibiting high-risk behavior. Nationwide, victimization against children is also on the rise, increasing by 23 percent between 1987 and 1992 (Moone1994). Children are raped, robbed, and assaulted at higher rates than adults, according to the National Crime Victims Survey (Moone 1994). Correlations between victimization as a child and subsequent criminal activity have been carefully studied. Follow-up studies of children who had cases of substantiated abuse or neglect found that 26 percent of the children were later arrested as juveniles. (National Institute of Justice 1995). A separate study shows that children who are physically abused or neglected early in life are not only at a greater risk of violent offending, but are more likely to begin violent offending earlier. The same study disclosed that children who either witness or experience multiple acts of violence in the home (child abuse, spousal abuse, and family conflict) are twice as likely to commit violent acts (Thornberry 1994). The U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) was established by the President and Congress through the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974. Its goal is to provide national leadership in helping state-level policy makers and local practitioners design, implement, and strengthen effective strategies in order to prevent juvenile victimization and appropriately respond to juvenile delinquency. In 1992, the Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 was passed, addressing the "provision of services to girls within the juvenile justice system." It was the first time a law had been passed specifically addressing female juvenile delinquency (Belknap et.al. 1997). This amendment finally recognized the increase in female delinquency, and the trends regarding the girls in the juvenile justice system. The revisions required that the issue of gender bias within the system be addressed in state plans. Some of the provisions included: conducting an analysis of gender-specific services for prevention and treatment; developing a plan for providing gender-specific services; and providing some assurances for an equality based juvenile justice system (Belknap et.al. 1997).
The OJJDP issued A Comprehensive Strategy for Serious, Violent and Chronic Juvenile Offenders. It is a research-based framework based on the professional consensus that communities need comprehensive strategies to combat youth crime. It addresses prevention and control of serious and violent youth crime. Under this Comprehensive Strategy, it is the family and community, supported by core social institutions, that have primary responsibility for meeting the basic socializing needs of children. Two principle components drive the Strategy:
The juvenile justice system is only one component of the continuum in addressing juvenile delinquency. Other vital pieces in prevention and intervention encompass local law enforcement agencies, social service, child welfare services, school programs, and family preservation programs. These programs reflect community needs based on the most pressing problems and priorities. A community planning team has been formed from a broad base representing the government, private, and non-profit sectors to help establish consensus on priorities, gaps, and service provision and/or improvement. A strong collaborative effort is called for. In partnership with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency and Developmental Research and Programs, Inc., OJJDP has worked in a training and consultation capacity with the Baker County Community Planning Team members since January 1998. OJJDP has provided assistance to team members and the site coordinator to help develop a five-year strategic plan for a healthier community and more responsible youth through prevention, intervention, and appropriate sanctions. |