U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Using Performance Monitoring to Improve the Accountability, Operations, and Effectiveness of Juvenile Justice
NCJ Number
              224171
Journal

*Criminal Justice Policy Review* Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2008 Pages: 264-284
Author(s)
          Daniel P. Mears;
                        Jeffrey A. Butts
Date Published

September 2008
Length
              21 pages
Annotation
              After describing performance measurement and monitoring, this article examines their relevance for improving the accountability, operations, and effectiveness of juvenile justice, followed by three examples of how the techniques are currently being applied in the United States.
Abstract
              Although the definition of performance measurement varies, most definitions emphasize the use of empirical indicators in documenting the extent to which intended services and activities are undertaken, as well as to measure outcomes that are intended to result from these services and activities. The importance of performance monitoring cannot be overstated, given that all policies, programs, and activities are unlikely to be effective if they are not implemented as planned. Further, even if a program is implemented as planned, it is necessary to determine whether the selected strategy and operations are having the intended outcomes. Performance measurement thus becomes the foundation for improving the design, operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of government programs. Generally, juvenile justice accountability can be enhanced by institutionalizing performance monitoring of systems operations and reforms. The focus on operations is critical, because the daily activities of probation departments, courts, defense counsel, prosecutors, and judges, as well as various providers of supervision and custody compose the core of what constitutes juvenile justice. The focus on the effects of reform is particularly critical, given the large-scale changes to juvenile justice that have occurred in recent decades. Three prominent efforts to improve the accountability of juvenile justice share a common focus on measuring and sharing performance data: the Performance-based Standards System developed by the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators; the National Performance Measures Demonstration Project; and the Reclaiming Futures initiative. Each of these efforts is described as a promising initiative that illustrates how performance monitoring can be undertaken and used to improve system operations. 46 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2005-IJ-CX-0039


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Issue Overview
                                Case Study


  
  
        
  Award
        The Past, Present and Future of Juvenile Justice: Assessing the Policy Options
    
  
  
Date Published: September 1, 2008
    
          Downloads
        
                      HTML

Related Datasets
        
                      http://dx.doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR26381.v1
Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Cost effectiveness analysis
        Juvenile justice management
        Juvenile justice policies
        Juvenile justice system
        NIJ Grant-related Documents



  
Similar Publications
        
                      States’ School Safety Centers: A Brief Look Into History, Characteristics, and Activities
                  What's Sex (Composition) Got To Do With It? The Importance of Sex Composition of Gangs for Female and Male Members' Offending and Victimization
                  Body Fluid Identification Using a Targeted mRNA Massively Parallel Sequencing Approach - Results of a EUROFORGEN/EDNAP Collaborative Exercise
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov