Department of Juvenile Justice Data & Publications

Several county systems provide individualized, culturally responsive services to their high-needs, high-risk adult and juvenile populations that have demonstrated successful long-term outcomes. Deliberate, cost-effective, systemic strategies are essential for local jurisdictions seeking to maximize the use of public funds and avoid overreliance on incarceration. Data-driven strategies can be used re-think criminal justice interventions and services.

CJCJ brings model local practices to the attention of policy makers and practitioners across the state, advocating for resources to reinforce and expand such practices. Additionally, CJCJ works with local practitioners to identify, develop, and implement replicable systems-level approaches that efficiently use local resources to produce positive outcomes for adult offenders.

California is shifting responsibility for serving low-level adult and high-needs youth offender populations from the state to the county level, where local agencies are better able to address their needs and smooth their reentry into the community.

CJCJ produces regular publications to inform state policy makers and the broader public on the effects of adult and juvenile realignment on long-term public safety, offender rehabilitation, and use of public funds.

County-by-county analyses reflect disparate applications of justice policy inCalifornia, creating a system whereby an individual’s county of residence significantly affects the outcome of his or her case.

CJCJ highlights these county disparities and establishes a statewide baseline through the California Sentencing Institute, in order to assist local practitioners, researchers, and policy advocates in determining cost-benefit analyses of the varying jurisdictional practices.