NCJ Number
237692
Date Published
December 2011
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This policy perspective from the Center for Effective Justice argues that effective and comprehensive juvenile justice reform can improve outcomes for juveniles and also help reduce budgetary pressures on State lawmakers.
Abstract
As a result of the current economic situation facing many State legislatures, lawmakers in these States are considering reductions to funding for juvenile justice systems. These reductions are based on the acknowledgement that too often juvenile justice systems fail not only juvenile offenders, but victims and taxpayers as well. The author of this paper argues that comprehensive juvenile justice reform would actually improve outcomes for juvenile offenders and at the same time assist States in reducing their budgetary constraints. The author presents 10 truths about reforming juvenile justice systems that legislators should consider when evaluating the rate of funding for juvenile justice systems. These 10 truths are described in detail and include the following: 1) confinement is still necessary; 2) residential programs should be community-based when possible; 3) confinement should not be the default response; 4) risk and needs assessments are important; 5) traditional forms of discipline are still best; 6) probation is an existing viable alternative; 7) evidence-based programming can improve outcomes; 8) juveniles, even if sentenced as adults, should not go directly into adult facilities; 9) performance incentive funding increases productivity, cost-efficiency, and positive outcomes; and 10) reform is possible. 18 endnotes