AGENDA STAFF REPORT

Agenda Item AGENDA STAFF REPORT ASR Control 08-001198
MEETING DATE:	03/24/09
legal entity taking action:	Board of Supervisors
board of supervisors district(s):	3
SUBMITTING Agency/Department:	Probation (Approved)
Department contact person(s):	Shirley Hunt, (714) 569-2174
	Brian Wayt, (714) 937-4728

Subject: UC Irvine Research - Juvenile Hall Female Offenders

ceo Concur	County Counsel Review		Clerk of the Board
Concur	Approved Agreement to Form		Consent Calendar
			3 Votes Board Majority

Budgeted: N/A		Current Year Cost: N/A		Annual Cost: N/A

Staffing Impact: No		# of Positions:		Sole Source: N/A
Current Fiscal Year Revenue: N/A
Funding Source: N/A

Prior Board Action: N/A

RECOMMENDED ACTION(S)

Find that the subject projects are Categorically Exempt (Class 6) from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Section 15306.

Approve Off-Site Research Agreement 2009-1355 between The Regents of the University
of California, Irvine and the County of Orange for participation in a research project entitled "The School Experiences of Female Juvenile Offenders," effective March 24, 2009 through February 1, 2010.

Approve Off-Site Research Agreement 2009-1351 between The Regents of the University of California, Irvine and the County of Orange for participation in a research project entitled "Mission Possible: Empowering Young Girls in Secure Custody," effective March 24, 2009 through February 1, 2010.

SUMMARY:

The Probation Department requests approval of two research agreements with The Regents of the University of California, Irvine: #2009-1355 entitled "The School Experiences of Female Offenders," effective March 24, 2009 through February 1, 2010; and #2009-1351 entitled "Mission Possible: Empowering Young Girls in Secure Custody," effective March 24, 2009 through February 1, 2010.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The Probation Department wishes to participate in two research projects sponsored by The Regents of the University of California, Irvine Campus (UCI), which will focus on the experiences and challenges of female minors housed in Juvenile Hall. The first project will be conducted by UCI doctoral student Randy Myers under the supervision of Elliott Currie, Ph.D., a UCI Faculty Member in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society ("Myers Study"). The research project will analyze the school experiences of juvenile female offenders. The second project, to be led by UCI doctoral student Anastasia Tosouni, also under Dr. Currie's supervision, will focus on how the Mission Possible Program affects the behavior of the participants and their perceptions of themselves and the justice system. ("Tosouni Study").

Probation's Guidelines for Research Requests

In compliance with Probation's research guidelines, UCI submitted written requests to conduct the Myers and Tosouni Studies, with female offenders housed in Juvenile Hall Unit Q as subjects. The requests described the purpose and scope of each study, the methodology for sample selection and data collection, and the value of the proposed research. The Probation Department reviewed UCI's requests, considered the potential contributions of the studies to the field of criminal justice, the Department, and the County as a whole, and recommended participation in the studies. Since the two research studies require interviews of juvenile female offenders, the Department sought and obtained separate court orders to conduct the studies from the Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court, the Honorable Carolyn Kirkwood. Additionally, the two research studies have been approved by the County Human Subjects Committee.

Likewise, UCI's Institutional Review Board approved the Myers and Tosouni Studies under separate Protocol Narratives. The Protocol Narratives outline the approval conditions for conducting the two research projects, including: (i) nature and purpose of the research; (ii) roles and expertise of the study team; (iii) research methodology; (iv) subjects of the research and process for their recruitment; (v) written consent process; and (vi) confidentiality of research data.

Written Consent, Methodology and Confidentiality of Research Data

Female minors housed in Juvenile Hall Unit Q will be eligible to participate in the research studies. During regularly scheduled programming activities, Probation staff will distribute fliers describing the Myers and Tosouni Studies. Probation staff will contact the lead researchers with regard to wards that wish to participate in the study. The lead researchers will inform interested wards of the voluntary and confidential nature of the study. If the ward is under the age of 18, the lead researcher will contact their parents or legal guardians to obtain written consent to recruit the minor's participation. Subsequently, the lead researchers will seek the minor's written assent for actual participation in the studies. If the ward has reached the age of 18 or has been emancipated, a written consent will be obtained directly from the ward.

For the Myers Study, the subjects will be interviewed on topics such as: (i) disciplinary actions imposed while in school; (ii) academic achievement; (iii) school transfers; (iv) amount of time at each school; (v) relations with teachers; (vi) relations with school staff; (vii) familial attitude toward school; (viii) legal histories; (ix) familial relationships; (x) expectations for the future; and (xi) ideas and opinions on how to improve the educational system. The interviews will be audio-taped.

For the Tosouni Study, the subjects will be asked to complete self-administered surveys during intake and before exiting Unit Q. Additionally, the subjects could potentially participate in two audio-taped interviews on topics such as: (i) relationships with family and peers; (ii) views and attitudes about social institutions and the juvenile justice system; (iii) causes and consequences of their offenses; and (iv) their prospects for the future.

To safeguard the confidentiality of the data collected by the researchers, personal identifiers will be replaced with pseudonyms and numbers. All data will be stored in a locked cabinet until they are transcribed. Thus, anonymity of female wards who complete the interviews will be maintained, and their responses will remain confidential. All information collected will be treated as confidential consistent with applicable law.

Benefits of Participation

Studies have found that school experiences are important in the lives of delinquent youths. Academic failure has been shown as an alienating experience that can push youth toward delinquency. The Myers Study proposes to analyze the academic achievements and challenges faced by juvenile female offenders, a population that is largely understudied. By analyzing the role of school experiences on attitudes, behavior, and victimization, the study will help in the effective design of treatments to address aggressive and delinquent behavior among female offenders.

Evidence also suggests that treatment programs targeting youthful offenders are largely designed with boys in mind. However, during recent years, growth in female rates of offending, arrest, and detention has outpaced males. The Tosouni Study seeks to explore the experiences of detained female wards with the Mission Possible Program and to determine if and how it manages to empower girls, how the girls perceive the program, and what happens when they leave Juvenile Hall.

The Research Agreements

UCI requires the Probation Department to enter into Off-Site Research Agreement 2009-1355 for the Myers Study, and Off-Site Research Agreement 2009-1351 for the Tosouni Study. Except for the duration, nature and scope of the studies, the two Agreements are basically the same. The subject, purpose and methodology of the studies, including applicable confidentiality provisions, are set forth in Protocol Narrative HS#2007-5801 dated October 10, 2008 for the Myers Study; and Protocol Narrative HS# 2007-6046 dated January 9, 2009 for the Tosouni Study, approved by the UCI Institutional Review Board. The Protocol Narratives are attached to and a part of their respective Agreements.

Under the terms of the Agreements, the Probation Department will allow the UCI researchers to carry out the Studies at designated available spaces in Juvenile Hall Unit Q, on a drop-in basis. The Probation Department will also cooperate with UCI in a manner that will allow female wards who choose to participate in the Studies, to provide their written assent in accordance with the written consent requirements attached to each Agreement. UCI will conduct the studies at no cost to the Probation Department; will supervise the lead researchers in performing their Studies; and ensure that all UCI personnel undergo background investigations and sign a confidentiality oath.

MUTUAL INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE:

The terms and conditions of the Agreements include mutual indemnification for any liabilities, losses, or claims for injury or damages arising out of the acts or omissions of the parties’ officers, agents, or employees. It should be noted that these Agreements contain insurance provisions which are not standard County provisions. Since the University is a State governmental entity, the option to self-insure for the University has been included in these Agreements. The risk of acceptance of the University’s self-insurance and mutual indemnification has been deemed acceptable by CEO/Risk Management.

CEQA/NEPA Compliance:

The subject research studies are Categorically Exempt (Class 6) from the provisions of CEQA pursuant to Section 15306. The activities involve research studies with data collection and resource evaluation components, which will not result in any major disturbance to an environmental resource.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

N/A

STAFFING IMPACT:

N/A

REVIEWING AGENCIES:

OC Public Works/Environmental Planning
CEO/Risk Management

ATTACHMENT(S):

A. Off-Site Research Agreement 2009-1355
B. Off-Site Research Agreement 2009-1351