DECISION-MAKER ATTITUDES AND JUVENILE DETENTION

Preliminary steps toward development of an instrument for investigation of decision-maker attitudes in juvenile detention are described. A factor analysis of responses of ninety-two correctional experts to twenty-five case examples identified two factors, interpreted as reflecting the use of detention for protection of the child (Factor J) and for protection of society (Factor 2). A second factor analysis, based on 141 subjects, confirmed the first. Police and probation officers differed in scores on both factors; police scored higher. Factor 2 scores were found to be associated with a classification of counties according to relatively high or low detention rates; higher scores were associated with higher detention rates. © 1969, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.