Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice: 2015 Recommendations to the President, Congress, and OJJDP Administrator

• NCJ Number: 249243
• Author(s): Darlene Dutton
• Date Published: October 2015
• Length: 5 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Youth-Oriented Material; Legislative Hearing/Committee Report; Legislation/Policy Description

Annotation

The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) presents to the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) its policy recommendations for 2015.

Abstract

The recommendations are in the following areas: (1) Issues related to the confidentiality, sealing, and expungement of juvenile records; (2) Priorities for research and education supported by OJJDP; and (3) Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). The four recommendations regarding the expungement, sealing, and confidentiality of juvenile records intend to ensure that the records of juveniles processed by the juvenile justice system are protected and prevented from any use that will adversely affect juveniles' ability to obtain housing, education, employment, and other benefits and services. The three recommendations pertinent to priorities for research and education supported by OJJDP are intended to support OJJDP's role in disseminating relevant fundamental research, research-to-practice, and data collection that assist in informing States and practitioners about effective evidence-based juvenile justice practices and outcomes. Regarding the reauthorization of the JJDPA, the primary recommendation is that sufficient funding be authorized to support the vision and charge to OJJDP and jurisdictions included in the JJDPA. Other recommendations regarding the reauthorization of the JJDPA are to phase out the Valid Court Order exception that permits the secure confinement of status offenders; increase data collection and reporting requirements; increase accountability measures for reducing racial and ethnic disparities; requiring that youth under 18, including those being charged as adults, not be confined in adult facilities unless certain court reviews are conducted and a court determines the best interest of justice is being served; change funding related to non-compliance; and implement the provision related to strengthening the Federal-State partnership.