NCJ Number
228130
Date Published
2008
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This 2006-07 Annual Report on California's Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) - which supports probation programs that have proven effective in reducing crime and delinquency among at-risk youth and young offenders - addresses the local planning process, program expenditures, and six mandated juvenile justice outcomes.
Abstract
The JJCPA requires counties to establish and maintain a multiagency Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC), which is responsible for developing, reviewing, and updating a comprehensive plan that documents the condition of the local juvenile justice system and outlines proposed efforts to address service gaps. Chief probation officers and other JJCC members are very satisfied with the enhanced communication, coordination, and collaboration that has resulted from this planning process. Regarding program expenditures, by June 30, 2007, the 56 counties participating in the JJCPA had expended or committed 99.8 percent of the $114.8 million allocated for the sixth year of the initiative. Local programs served 95,641 at-risk youth and young offenders in 2006-2007, for a per capita cost to the State of $1,198.23. Regarding mandated juvenile justice outcomes, the data submitted by counties for 2006-07 indicate that the JJCPA programs continue to have a positive impact on juvenile crime and delinquency in communities throughout California. Youth participating in JJCPA programs were arrested for new offenses and incarcerated at significantly lower rates than youth in a comparable reference group. JJCPA participants successfully completed probation at significantly higher rates than youth in the comparison group. JJCPA youth also attended a significantly greater percentage of school days, achieved significantly higher grades, and were significantly less likely to be suspended from school than reference-group youth. Statistically significant results were reported for three of the six mandated outcomes-arrest, incarceration, and probation-violation rates. Program highlights are reported for six counties that focused on prevention/early intervention programs. 2 tables and appended statewide allocation and expenditures summary by county, a statewide summary of average per capita program costs, and change in county arrest rates per 100,000 juveniles ages 10-17