New Hampshire Delinquency Services Summary
New Hampshire is a centralized state. The Division for Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS), within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is the state executive agency responsible for providing delinquency services in New Hampshire.
|
New Hampshire Detention Services
How is detention organized?
The Division of Juvenile Justice Services (DJJS) operates the Youth Detention Services Unit (YDSU) in Manchester, part of SYSC, the only secure pre-adjudication/pre-disposition detention facility in New Hampshire.
|
New Hampshire statute RSA 169-B:10 addresses diversion. Police officers, JPPOs and prosecutors may refer a juvenile to any court-approved diversion program rather than file a formal petition, subject to local diversion referral procedures approved by the district's administrative judge.
|
New Hampshire Victim Rights and Services
Per RSA 169-B:35-a, victims of violent crimes committed by juvenile offenders are entitled to certain rights, including the right to be notified of the offender's name and address, any hearings, and the offender’s escape or release.
|
New Hampshire Probation Supervision
Juvenile probation is called "conditional release" in New Hampshire and probationers are subject to supervision and behavioral/treatment expectations. JPPOs are assigned to each judicial district in New Hampshire.
|
New Hampshire Probation Officer Qualifications, Certification, and Training
Entry-level JPPOs (JPPO I) must have a bachelor's degree in a related field. Progression to higher-level positions (JPPO II, III, IV, Coordinator, and Supervisor) requires increasing levels of education and experience.
|
New Hampshire Commitment to State
Commitments to DHHS are for the remainder of minority, expiring on the youth's 17th birthday unless the Juvenile Parole Board or Superior Court discharges the youth earlier from commitment, the committing court vacates or suspends the commitment, or the committing court extends the commitment to age 18 upon motion of DHHS.
|
New Hampshire Release from State Commitment
An independent Juvenile Parole Board conducts hearings to determine whether juveniles whose release from secure custody has been recommended by SYSC staff should be granted or denied parole. The board has five citizen members appointed by the governor to staggered five-year terms. It is required to hold at least 12 parole hearings a year and more if necessary.
|
New Hampshire Aftercare/Reentry
JPPOs provide parole supervision of juveniles released by the Juvenile Parole Board from SYSC. JPPOs are required in all juvenile parole cases to prepare a written Parole Supervision Plan for the Juvenile Parole Board's approval.
|
New Hampshire Purpose Clause
New Hampshire’s Purpose clause is rooted in an elaborate, multi-part clause contained in the Legislative Guide for Drafting Family and Juvenile Court Acts.
|
New Hampshire Delinquency Jurisdiction
Lower Age: None specified
Upper Age: 16
Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20
|
New Hampshire Risk and Needs Assessments
On a statewide basis since October 2008, New Hampshire has been utilizing a detention risk-screening instrument (Risk Assessment Instrument or RAI) to ensure that only appropriate youth are detained. JPPOs currently use standardized assessment tools to assist in making appropriate dispositional recommendations to the courts and for case planning.
|