ojjdp.gov Raise The Age Presented by Toni Walker

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ojjdp.gov Why Raise the Age? Keeping kids in the juvenile system prevents crime – Lower recidivism reduces state expenditures Juvenile system often holds kids more accountable – Rehabilitation is the primary focus Reduction of Agency Silos – Community Services -School, Mental Health

ojjdp.gov 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.

ojjdp.gov The Law in Connecticut Juvenile Jurisdiction Planning and Implementation Taskforce (PA06-187) Raise The Age Law- Juvenile Jurisdiction Planning and Operations Coordinating Committee (PA 07-4) 2009 – Compromise Language 16 year olds (2010) 17 year olds (2012) 2010 – Adult Jurisdiction begins at 17

ojjdp.gov Reforming Laws for Status Offenses Families with Service Needs Reform Decriminalized-No detention (PA ) 2007 FWSN Advisory Board 2008 Family Support Centers (4 Centers)

ojjdp.gov 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: comparing CY 2009 intakes to CY 2010 intakes

ojjdp.gov Even With 16-Year-Olds, Court Referrals are Lower FY Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 19,242 FY Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 15,332

ojjdp.gov Even With 16-Year-Olds, Detention is Below ’06 Levels Source: Judicial Branch

ojjdp.gov admissions admissions admissions admissions admissions CT Juvenile Training School Source: DCF CJTS Annual Reports to Legislature 06-10

ojjdp.gov Raise the Age: Projected Cost$11.8 million Actual Cost $ 7.1 million Financial Impact 2010 Source: Office of Fiscal Analysis

ojjdp.gov 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.

ojjdp.gov What’s Been the Result of this New Approach? Good for public safety Source: Judicial Branch

ojjdp.gov What’s Been the Result of this New Approach? Good for the budget Avg. daily cost Detention$377 Secure residential$562 CJTS$774

ojjdp.gov Raise the Age is Good for the Adult System Removed 4, year-olds from the adult system in Will remove an estimated 4,500 – 5, year-olds from the adult system in Remember, kids tried in the juvenile system show lower recidivism rates than those tried in the adult system.

ojjdp.gov System Continues To “Right Size” Number of youth under 16 in juvenile justice system reduced 10% between 2009 and 2010 and through July Every month in 2011 has shown a reduction in the number of court referrals of those 15 and under when compared to the same month in The number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2011 has declined from the number of 16-year-olds referred to court in Source: Judicial Branch