NCJ Number
192138
Date Published
April 2000
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of Florida's Program Evaluation and Justification Review of the Department of Juvenile Justice Detention Program, which began operating under performance-based program budgeting in fiscal year 1998-99.
Abstract
The primary purpose of detention is to ensure public safety while providing a safe and humane environment for juveniles who are awaiting legal action. Youth who are considered a public safety risk are sent to a secure detention center, and those who present a lower degree of risk are released to home detention. There is considerable fluidity between these populations. This study shows that the effectiveness of home detention has improved; this is particularly noteworthy because in 1999, 59 percent of youth in home detention were transfers from secure detention. The return rate for juveniles who committed new crimes declined slightly, and the return rate for juveniles who failed to appear in court was cut by more than a half. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice attributes some of this success to increased use of electronic monitoring. This report recommends that the Department of Juvenile Justice identify the true youth-to-staff ratio to determine actual home detention caseloads. This information, along with performance data, should be used to develop a more meaningful staffing benchmark and distribute staff among the centers accordingly. Overcrowding, which has been a concern for secure detention for many years, has markedly decreased, although half of the detention centers remain overused. Legislative funding of detention and commitment beds has relieved the situation. Secure detention performance has improved; the rate of escapes has been significantly reduced, as has been the rate of youth-on-youth assaults. This report recommends the development of a critical post-staffing pattern similar to those used by prisons; the identification of jobs that can be done by less expensive staff who would not supervise youth; the use of technology to reduce staffing needs; and the provision of accurate and consistent performance measurement data. The latter recommendation includes specific suggestions. 7 exhibits and appended statutory requirements for program evaluations and justification reviews