ABSTRACT
Decision management is the cornerstone of any organization, and is a particularly visible component of juvenile correctional agencies. There are numerous questions that can be asked to determine how case decisions are made within a juvenile court or correctional agency. The most important question concerns the decision structure for making disposition decisions, that is, for determining what program is suitable for each individual offender. There are three organizational models for making placement decisions. The first is the legislative model, in which guidelines are established by the legislature and merely followed by the court; the second is the judicial model, in which the court determines placement; and the third is the administrative model, in which placement decisions are made by the juvenile correctional agency, without direct interference from the legislature or court. A well-structured and closely adhered to classification system is essential for a balanced system of juvenile corrections.
