Blog Jan 11, 2012
Counties’ responses to the budget triggers
While it costs approximately $193,111 per ward annually to house youth in California’s state youth correctional system (Division of Juvenile Facilities: DJF), under the budget triggers (implemented Jan 1, 2012) counties would pick up approx. 65% of that tab ($125,000 per youth), while the rest continues to be paid for by California taxpayers. Counties like Monterey, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Kings have voiced concerns that they would not be able to pay for the 20+ youth they each have in DJF…
Blog Jan 11, 2012
Why taxpayers should care about juvenile justice
Last week Governor Brown proposed, for the second time, the closure of California’s state youth correctional facilities, the Division of Juvenile Facilities (DJF). In fact, this week CJCJ released a report including five policy recommendations for full juvenile justice realignment. CJCJ has been advocating for a 21st century approach to juvenile justice for years. CJCJ is not alone is this recommendation, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, Little Hoover Commission, and the Ella Baker Center…
A recent report by the W. Haywood Burns Institute indicates that while California’s current corrections policies appear to be race-neutral, data shows that many young people of color are being incarcerated at higher rates than white youth for non-criminal acts rather than being treated for mental health and behavioral health needs. The report, titled “Non-Judicial Drivers into the Juvenile Justice System for Youth of Color” , highlights multiple studies that point to the same conclusion: …
On the subject of the Governor’s juvenile justice budget triggers, the California District Attorney’s Association (CDAA) announced in the New York Times on Sunday, “Obviously we would like him to drop that cut, and cut from other places,” said Scott Thorpe, chief executive of the California District Attorneys Association. On January 1, 2012 Governor Brown’s budget triggers came into effect. Among many deep cuts across government agencies, the triggers require counties to pay approximately…
Blog Dec 30, 2011
Adults with juvenile records
Adolescence is a challenging time for most people. Teenagers undergo significant developmental, physical, psychological, and social changes during a condensed decade of time. We have all done embarrassing things as adolescents; however, we are comforted by our coming of age and the slow regression of those memories. According to a recent study , while 1 in 3 Americans have some contact with the juvenile justice system — most are cited for infractions. Youth who commit crime are in the…