Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)

The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Our Vision:

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system will have opportunities to develop

into healthy, productive adults . . .

Why Detention Reform?

Entry Point for System Reform

Gateway to Incarceration

Crowding Crisis

“Hidden Closet of System”

AVERAGE DAILY POPULATION OF JUVENILESIN DETENTION CENTERS, 1985-1999

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999Source: Detention data adapted from Sickmund, M. (forthcoming). Juveniles in Corrections. Washington, DC OJJDP, 1985-99

Detention Populations Doubled Between ’85-’99

PERCENTAGE OF JUVENILES IN OVERCROWDED U.S. PUBLIC DETENTION CENTERS, 1985-1995

20%

32%

42%47%

51%

62%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995Source: Census of Public and Private Detention, Correctional and Shelter Facilities, 1985-95

Most Detained Kids are in Overcrowded Facilities

Overrepresentation of Minority Youth in Public Detention Centers: 1985 – 1999

56.6%

43.4% 56.4%43.6%

White Youth

Minority Youth

1985 1995

Minority Youth

Source: Census of Public and Private Juvenile Detention, Correctional and Shelter Facilities, 1985-1999 .

62.0%38.0%

1999

White Youth

Minority Youth

White Youth

2/3 of Detainees are Kids of Color

One-Day Counts in Detention Facilities, 2001

By Offense Category

Property, Drugs, PublicOrder and “Other”

(38.6%)(32.3%)

(29.1%)

ViolentOffenses

Status Offenses andTechnical Violations

Detention Increased Despite Decreases in Juvenile Crime

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

Purpose:To demonstrate that jurisdictions can establish more effective and efficient systems to accomplish the purposes of juvenile detention.

Objectives:1) Eliminate inappropriate or unnecessary use of secure detention2) Minimize failures to appear and incidence of delinquent behavior3) Redirect public finances to successful reform strategies4) Improve conditions in secure detention facilities.

Core JDAI Strategies

Reliance on Data

Objective Admissions Screening

Alternatives to Secure Detention

Expedited Case Processing

Strategies for “Special” Detention Cases

Strategies to Reduce Racial Disparities

Rigorous Facility Inspections

Collaboration

Cook County Outcomes

37% 54%

AverageDaily

Population(1996-2002)

YouthViolentArrests

(1993-2000)

Results-Impact

Multnomah County Outcomes

66% 45%

AverageDaily

Population(1993-2002)

JuvenileFelonyArrests

(1994-2000)

Results-Impact

Santa Cruz Outcomes

52% 38%

AverageDaily

Population(1996-2000)

JuvenileFelonyArrests

(1996-2000)

Results-Impact

Multnomah CountyResource Redeployment

012

34

56

78

910

1998 2000 2002 Cumulative

Millions

Results-Leverage

Santa CruzResource Redeployment

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1998 2001 Cumulative

Millions

Results-Leverage

Cook County Probation Department Average Monthly Residential Placements

1996 - 2005

262

76108

426358

121

0

100

200

300

400

500

1996 2001 2002 2003 2004 Aug-05Residential Placements

19 m

15m

13m

7.5m

Cook County IDOC Commitments

1997 - 2003

450

902 896862

694

555 556498

400

500

600

700

800

900

1,000

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

DOC Commitments

JDAI is present in 95 jurisdictions in 25 states and the District of Columbia, working in systems that hold 65% of all youth detained in this country,

almost 17,000 youth.

County site State siteModel site

What JDAI Participation Provides

Small cash grant (for travel & coordination)Technical AssistanceJDAI Tools, Guides & PublicationsJDAI Model SitesJDAI Training SeminarsJDAI National ConferencesJDAI Network & Peers

What JDAI Participation Requires

Implementation of JDAI core strategies

Fidelity to the model

Determined leadership

Communication and Transparency with Foundation