Resource: In Perspective: An Overview of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act
This document describes the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) of 1974, providing background on the federal legislation that established national standards for the custody and care of youth in the juvenile justice system. The act’s purpose was to protect children and youth in the justice system, address delinquent behavior, and improve community safety. The document provides a brief history of the JJDPA, and it notes how the JJDPA works, authorizing a federal framework for youth justice and providing critical federal funding to states in order to promote the prevention of delinquency and to support compliance with the JJDPA core requirements. The document also highlights the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program (OJJDP) and its role in implementing the JJDPA. The document emphasizes the importance of the JJDPA as well as its impact on the modern juvenile justice system.