THE PROPOSED YOUTH CORRECTION AUTHORITY ACT
HARVIE DEJ. COGHILL M. D.1
1 Chairman, Committee on Youth Correction Act.
The Youth Correction Authority Act was created by a committee of the American Law Institute. It is a model law which attempts to prevent repeated crime in the 16 to 21 group of youthful offenders through a coordinated effort to provide suitable treatment.
The status of this model act is the subject of a nation wide survey or inquiry made by the Youth Correction Act Committee of the Section on Forensic Psychiatry of the American Psychiatric Association.
The situation as it now appears on a basis of incomplete information is as follows:
Bills incorporating the essential features of the Youth Correction Authority Act have been introduced in six states with these results:
California, introduced and passed in 1941.
Introduced but failed of passage in Illinois, 1941; Michigan, , 1940; New York, 1941; Pennsylvania, 1941; Wisconsin, 1941; Kansas, 1942.
No legislative efforts were made in 28 states.
No report has been received yet from 13 other states.
Some interests shown in 31 states and requests for more information have been received from 23 states.
A committee is active with Congress in establishing a uniform youth correction act dealing with Federal regulations.
In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that your Committee be empowered (1) to continue its inquiry into the status of, and facilities for carrying out the provisions of the Youth Correction Act throughout the United States, and (2) continue to cooperate with the American Law Institute and local committees in the states in their educational efforts.
