1. What is a status offender? [Answer]
2. What is a nonoffender? [Answer]
3. What is the difference between direct services and system change? [Answer]
4. How are programs and strategies selected for this database? [Answer]
5. How many arrests are made of status offenders? [Answer]
6. What is the race/ethnicity profile of status offenders in residential placement? [Answer]
7. Does the percentage of youth held as status offenders in residential placement vary by State? [Answer]
8. How does the type of offense resulting in placement vary by race/ethnicity? [Answer]
9. Do those in residential placements vary by sex? [Answer]
10. Does the offense profile of detained juveniles in residential placement vary by state? [Answer]
11. Does the offense profile of committed juveniles in residential placement vary by state? [Answer]
12. Does time in placement vary by type of offense for detained offenders? [Answer]
13. How long do juveniles stay in juvenile residential placement facilities? [Answer]
14. Does time in placement vary by type of offense for committed offenders? [Answer]

1. What is a status offender?

The Code of Federal Regulations defines status offender as follows: "A juvenile who has been charged with or adjudicated for conduct which would not, under the law of the jurisdiction in which the offense was committed, be a crime if committed by an adult" (28 C.F.R. 31.304[h]). Status offenses include truancy, curfew violations, incorrigibility, running away, and underage possession and/or consumption of alcohol or tobacco.

2. What is a nonoffender?

The Code of Federal Regulations defines status offender as follows:  "A juvenile who is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, usually under abuse, dependence, or neglect statutes for reasons other than legally prohibited conduct of the juvenile" (28 C.F.R. 31.304[i]).  Nonoffenders are referred to by a variety of names, including children in need of services (CHINS), children in protective services (CHIPS), and families in need of services (FINS).

3. What is the difference between direct services and system change?

Direct services target status offenders and their families, as well as at-risk or system-involved youth, their families, and communities. System change strategies seek to modify aspects of the juvenile justice system that may contribute to DSO violations and is accomplished by altering laws and ordinances, policies, and practices.

4. How are programs and strategies selected for this database?

Potential programs and strategies are identified through a variety of means, including nominations, research, and word-of-mouth.  Programs are then evaluated to ensure they meet established criteria for inclusion.

5. How many arrests are made of status offenders?

The number of arrests changes yearly. In 2007, 141,000 youths were arrested for liquor law violations. This represents an  increase of 2 percent from 2003, but a decline of 20 percent from 1998. Arrests for curfew and loitering violations totaled 143,000 for 2007, which represents at 37 percent drop from 1997.  The most current numbers on arrests for status offences are available through the OJJDP’s Statistical Briefing Notebook (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/crime/qa05101.asp?qaDate=2007).  Offense-specific arrest trends (including overall rates, and rates by race and sex), can be viewed at http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov /ojstatbb/crime/JAR.asp.

6. What is the race/ethnicity profile of status offenders in residential placement?

Non-Hispanic black juveniles accounted for the majority (33%) of nonwhite youth held in custody in 2006 (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08205.asp?qaDate=2006).

7. Does the percentage of youth held as status offenders in residential placement vary by State?

Yes.  While the national rate in 2006 for status offenders held in residential placements was 5 percent, there are wide variations among States.  For instance, in 2006, status offenders represented only 1 percent of the youth held in residential placement in California and Illinois, but represented 28 percent in North Dakota, and 23 percent in West Virginia (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08301.asp?qaDate=2006).

8. How does the type of offense resulting in placement vary by race/ethnicity?

OJJDP breaks down the percentage of youth in each of five race/ethnic categories held in residential placement for delinquent offenses and status offenses. Of all the White youth held in residential placement, 93 percent were placed for delinquent offenses and 7 percent for status offenses.  In 2006, four of the five race/ethnic groups (Whites, Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians) had similar rates (between 93 and 98 percent held for delinquent offenses; between 2 and 7 percent held for status offenses).  Only American Indian youth are held at higher rates for status offenses (12 percent) and lower rates for delinquent offenses (88 percent). (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08303.asp?qaDate=2006).

9. Do those in residential placements vary by sex?

In 2006, only 4 percent of males in residential treatment are placed for status offenses, while 14 percent of the girls in residential placements are there for status offenses (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08304.asp?qaDate=2006).

10. Does the offense profile of detained juveniles in residential placement vary by state?

 The national average for status offenders held as detained juveniles was 3 percent in 2006.  This varied from a low of 0 percent in some states (e.g., Florida, Vermont) to a high of 30 percent (in Hawaii) (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08305.asp?qaDate=2006).

11. Does the offense profile of committed juveniles in residential placement vary by State?

In 2006, the national average was 6 percent for committed juveniles who were placed in residential treatment for status offenses, but this rate varied considerably by State. In half the States, rates were low at 0 to 3 percent; in other States, the rates ran as high 43 percent (Nebraska), though high rates more typically fell in the 20 percent range (e.g., North Dakota, 28 percent; Louisiana, 27 percent) (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08306.asp?qaDate=2006).

12. Does time in placement vary by type of offense for detained offenders?

In 2006, detained person offenders were in placement longer than other types of offenders, but time-in-placement patterns largely overlapped for detained youth held for property, drug, public order, and status offenses (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08406.asp?qaDate=2006).

13. How long do juveniles stay in juvenile residential placement facilities?

There can be a wide diversity in length of stay for juveniles. In 2006, half of committed residents had been in placement longer than 112 days when the census was taken. Half of detained juveniles had been in custody fewer than 16 days. (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08405.asp?qaDate=2006)

14. Does time in placement vary by type of offense for committed offenders?

Committed person offenders were in placement longer than other types of offenders. Time-in-placement patterns largely overlapped for committed youth held for property, drug, and status offenses (http://ojjdp.ncjrs.gov/ojstatbb/corrections/qa08404.asp?qaDate=2006).