3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

6. Finding Room Even after adding 16-year-olds, the system is still smaller today than it was just a few years ago

7. We made the change when … … court referrals were down …

8. We made the change when … … detention numbers were down … … court referrals were down … Source: Judicial Branch

9. … and the CJTS census was low 2009203 admissions 2008201 admissions 2007189 admissions 2006215 admissions We made the change when … … detention numbers were down … Source: DCF CJTS Reports to Legislature, 06-09

10. The impact of 16-year-olds Projected system increase:40% Actual system increase:22% And remember: The system is still smaller than it was just a few years ago. Source: Judicial Branch

11. 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

12. Even with 16-year-olds, detention is below ’06 levels Source: Judicial Branch

13. 2010211 admissions 2009203 admissions 2008201 admissions 2007189 admissions 2006215 admissions CJTS admissions have not yet seen a major impact Source: DCF CJTS Annual Reports to Legislature 06-10

14. Unspent money to implement Raise the Age FY2010$7.1 million Estimated unspent in FY2011$4.7 million Total $11.8 million Financial impact less than anticipated Source: Office of Fiscal Analysis

15. Why is the system shrinking? Smart investments in prevention FWSN reform, Family Support Centers Home-based interventions A commitment to serve kids in the least restrictive environment

16. What’s been the result of this new approach? Good for public safety Source: Judicial Branch

17. What’s been the result of this new approach? Good for the budget Avg. daily cost Detention$377 Secure residential$562 CJTS$774

18. Raise the Age is good for 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

19. 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

20. More FSCs More Kids Served More Diversion Source: Judicial Branch

21. 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

22. Raise the Age has proven to 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

23. Moving ahead with Raise 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