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Learn how raising the age in the juvenile system reduces crime, lower recidivism rates, and costs, while promoting a more accountable and effective approach. Find out the current status and future implications of the law change.
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Why Raise the Age? Keeping kids in the juvenile system prevents crime • Lower recidivism vs. peers in adult system Juvenile system often holds kids more accountable • Crimes that appear minor in adult court get attention here • Must go to school, participate in counseling, other services mandated by the court
Where do states stand? • Two (NY, NC) set adulthood at 16 • Connecticut is one of 11 states that sets it at 17 • Federal law is moving toward protecting anyone under 18 as a juvenile
The law in Connecticut • As of January, 2010, 16-year-olds joined the juvenile system • As of July, 2012, 17-year-olds will join the juvenile system • (Kids charged with A and B felonies are still treated as adults)
Finding Room Even after adding16-year-olds, the systemis still smaller today than it was just a few years ago
We made thechange when … … court referrals were down …
We made thechange when … … court referrals were down … … detention numbers were down … Source: Judicial Branch
We made thechange when … … and the CJTS census was low … detention numbers were down … 2009 203 admissions 2008 201 admissions 2007 189 admissions 2006 215 admissions Source: DCF CJTS Reports to Legislature, 06-09
The impactof 16-year-olds • Projected system increase: 40% • Actual system increase: 22% • And remember:The system is still smallerthan it was just a few years ago. Source: Judicial Branch
Even with 16-year-olds court referrals are below 06-07 levels FY 06-07 Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 19,242 CY 2010 Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 16,275
Even with 16-year-olds,detention is below ’06 levels Source: Judicial Branch
CJTS admissions have not yet seen a major impact 2010 211 admissions 2009 203 admissions 2008 201 admissions 2007 189 admissions 2006 215 admissions Source: DCF CJTS Annual Reports to Legislature 06-10
Financial impactless than anticipated Unspent money to implement Raise the Age FY2010 $7.1 million Estimated unspent in FY2011 $4.7 million Total $11.8 million Source: Office of Fiscal Analysis
Why is the systemshrinking? • Smart investments in prevention • FWSN reform, Family Support Centers • Home-based interventions • A commitment to serve kids in the least restrictive environment
What’s been the resultof this new approach? Good for public safety Source: Judicial Branch
What’s been the resultof this new approach? Good for the budget Avg. daily cost Detention $377 Secure residential $562 CJTS $774
Raise the Age is goodfor the adult system • Removed 4,000 16-year-olds from the adult system in 2010 • Will remove 6,000 17-year-olds from the adult system in 2012 Remember, kids tried in juvenile system show lower recidivism rates than those tried in adult system
System continues to “right size” • Number of youth under 16 in juvenile justice system reduced 10% between 2009 and 2010 • These outcomes with only 4 FWSN Family Support Centers open • Shrinking trend will continue Source: Judicial Branch
More FSCsMore Kids ServedMore Diversion Source: Judicial Branch
What does all this mean? There was room to absorb 16-year-olds There IS much more room to absorb 17-year-olds than we anticipated
Raise the Age has provento be a policy that • Costs less than anticipated • Is manageable for the state and municipalities • Does no harm to public safety now • Leads to future crime prevention • Addresses concerns about the adult system
Moving ahead withRaise the Age in 2012 • Continuing commitment to diversion will keep the system small • As we’ve seen with 16-year-olds, the system can absorb change • Smart • Fair • Economical