Corrections_Today_January_February_2021_Vol.83_No.1

nEWS&vIEWS

Juvenile Justice News

Youth held in adult jails: Why this doesn’t make sense By Michael Dempsey

T hroughout the nation, juris - dictions continue to struggle with the challenges and the ethical dilemma of housing juve - niles in adult jails and correctional facilities. Indiana is among many states that still hold juveniles in

adult jails while pending adult criminal court proceedings in specif- ic circumstances. In Indiana, these circumstances include pre-adjudi - cated youth considered “direct file cases” and those youth who have had a waiver hearing (“non-direct

file cases”). However, post-trial youth committed to the Depart- ment of Corrections are placed at a juvenile correctional facility until the age of majority (currently 18 in Indiana), at which time youth may be transferred to an adult cor- rectional facility. Through a “dual jurisdiction” statute, Indiana allows criminal courts to review such cases and to extend the juvenile system jurisdiction beyond the age of 18 when it’s determined to be in the best interest of the youth. The question justice leaders must ask ourselves is this: “Is housing minors in an adult setting the safest and most appropriate placement for youth with adult criminal charges?” The Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators (CJJA) believes the answer is “no.” The CJJA supports the position that the juvenile justice system is the most appropriate place- ment for youth who are “direct-filed” and/or those awaiting sentencing in the pre- or post-waiver process. Current practices employed by many adult jails are contraindicated to a youth’s health and well-being. More specifically:

istock/Vudhikul Ocharoen

12 — January/February 2021 Corrections Today