ojjdp.govojjdp.gov

Raise The AgePresented by Toni Walker

ojjdp.gov

Presentation assistance provided by:

ojjdp.gov

Why Raise the Age?•Keeping kids in the juvenile system prevents crime

– Lower recidivism reduces state expenditures•Juvenile system often holds kids more accountable

– Rehabilitation is the primary focus•Reduction of Agency Silos

– Community Services -School, Mental Health

ojjdp.gov

Where Do States Stand?

• Two (NY, NC) set adulthood at 16.• Connecticut is one of 11 states that sets it at 17.• Federal law is moving toward protecting anyone

under 18 as a juvenile.

ojjdp.gov

The Law in Connecticut• 2006 - Juvenile Jurisdiction Planning and

Implementation Taskforce (PA06-187)• 2007- Raise The Age Law- Juvenile Jurisdiction Planning

and Operations Coordinating Committee (PA 07-4)• 2009 – Compromise Language 16 year olds (2010)

17 year olds (2012)• 2010 – Adult Jurisdiction begins at 17

ojjdp.gov

Reforming Laws for Status Offenses

Families with Service Needs Reform-•2005 Decriminalized-No detention (PA 05-250)•2007 FWSN Advisory Board •2008 Family Support Centers (4 Centers)

ojjdp.gov

The Impact of 16-Year-Olds• Projected system increase: 40%• Actual system increase: 22%• And remember:

The system is still smaller than it was just a few years ago.

Source: Judicial Branch: comparing CY 2009 intakes to CY 2010 intakes

ojjdp.gov

Even With 16-Year-Olds, Court Referrals are Lower

• FY 06-07 Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 19,242• FY 10-11 Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 15,332

ojjdp.gov

Even With 16-Year-Olds,Detention is Below ’06 Levels

Source: Judicial Branch

ojjdp.gov

2010 211 admissions2009 203 admissions 2008 201 admissions 2007 189 admissions 2006 215 admissions

CT Juvenile Training School

Source: DCF CJTS Annual Reports to Legislature 06-10

ojjdp.gov

Raise the Age: Projected Cost $11.8 millionActual Cost $ 7.1 million

Financial Impact2010

Source: Office of Fiscal Analysis

ojjdp.gov

Why is the System Shrinking?• Smart investments in prevention.• FWSN reform, Family Support Centers.• Home-based interventions.• A commitment to serve kids in the least

restrictive environment.

ojjdp.gov

What’s Been the Result of this New Approach? Good for public safety

Source: Judicial Branch

ojjdp.gov

What’s Been the Result of this New Approach?

Good for the budget

Avg. daily cost

Detention $377Secure residential $562CJTS $774

ojjdp.gov

Raise the Age is Goodfor the Adult System

• Removed 4,000 16-year-olds from the adult system in 2010.

• Will remove an estimated 4,500 – 5,000 17-year-olds from the adult system in 2012.

Remember, kids tried in the juvenile system show lower recidivism rates than those tried in the adult system.

ojjdp.gov

System Continues To “Right Size”• Number of youth under 16 in juvenile justice system reduced 10%

between 2009 and 2010 and through July 2011.

• Every month in 2011 has shown a reduction in the number of court referrals of those 15 and under when compared to the same month in 2010.

• The number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2011 has declined from the number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2010.

Source: Judicial Branch