Monitoring Compliance to Safeguard Youth
PCCD works with all justice practitioners to ensure that any juveniles held in secure custody are held in compliance with the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act and the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. Pennsylvania has developed a compliance monitoring system that is a model for other states. In fact, Pennsylvania is one of three states in full compliance with the federal reporting requirements.
Monitoring Compliance to Safeguard Youth
To protect juveniles in the juvenile justice system from inappropriate placements and from harm (both physical and psychological) that can occur as a result of exposure to adult offenders. This is achieved through ensuring compliance with the four core protections of the federal Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act; 1) Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders, 2) Sight and Sound Separation, 3) Jail Removal, and 4) Reducing Disproportionate Minority Contact where it exists. Meeting the core protections is essential to creating a fair, consistent, and effective juvenile justice system that advances the important goals of the JJDP Act.
Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders
Status offenders and non-offenders may not be securely detained in an adult jail or lock up for any length of time. This core protection applies to Adult Jails/Prisons, Adult Lock-ups, Juvenile Detention Centers and Juvenile Training Schools.
Sight and Sound Separation
Juveniles shall not have sight and/or sound contact with adult offenders while in a secure custody setting. This core protection applies Court Holding Facilities, Adult Lock-ups, Juvenile Detention Centers and Juvenile Training Schools.
Jail Removal
No juveniles shall be detained or confined in any jail or lock up for adults in excess of six hours; Status offenders and non-offenders may not be detained in any jail or lock up for any length of time. This core protection applies to Adult Jails/Prisons, Adult Lock-ups, Juvenile Detention Centers and Juvenile Training Schools.
The Pennsylvania Juvenile Act (42 Pa. C.S.§6326) provides expectations to Pennsylvania Police Departments regarding these protections as well as procedures for holding juveniles securely. Concerning the first three requirements §6326(e) of the Juvenile Act specifies police departments must provide requested information regarding juveniles held securely or non-securely to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). PCCD has developed a web-base compliance tool that replaces the cumberson paper method, which will simplify monthly reporting by police departments and police department certifications.
Disproportionate Minority Contact
States must assess the number of minority youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system along key decision points, and allows for local communities to address problem areas if any disproportionate representation are found.