|
TRENTON - The Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) has implemented a policy that establishes standards and procedures to be followed both by the JJC and by county juvenile detention facilities in connection with proposals to significantly change detention facility utilization.
Under the provisions of N.J.S.A 2A:4A-37(b) the JJC is responsible for approving all places where juveniles may be placed in detention. In view of current budgetary pressures upon all levels of government to streamline and consolidate operations, the JJC believes that this policy will provide clear and uncomplicated guidelines to be followed when county authorities propose major utilization changes.
“The JJC has the responsibility to analyze the overall juvenile population in detention settings statewide. As county operated detention centers consider closing and relocating their juveniles, the JJC will be involved to ensure that appropriate services are delivered to each juvenile in a safe environment,” said Veleria N. Lawson, Executive Director. “The JJC remains available to county officials to assist them in making these guidelines the useful tool they are intended to be.”
The policy is currently in the process of being promulgated as a rule. It requires that written implementation proposals be submitted by all relevant facilities and authorities. Plans must be approved by the JJC prior to the implementation of any shared or additional use of a facility, any closure of facility or portion of a facility, or any transfer of juveniles, except for routine transfers for operational purposes.
View the 2008 Juvenile Detention Facility Policy (18k PDF)
# # # |
