1. ojjdp.gov Raise The Age Presented by Toni Walker

2. ojjdp.gov Presentation assistance provided by:

3. 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

4. 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.

5. ojjdp.gov The Law in Connecticut 2006 - Juvenile Jurisdiction Planning and Implementation Taskforce (PA06-187) 2007- 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

6. ojjdp.gov Reforming Laws for Status Offenses Families with Service Needs Reform- 2005 Decriminalized-No detention (PA 05-250) 2007 FWSN Advisory Board 2008 Family Support Centers (4 Centers)

7. 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

8. ojjdp.gov Even With 16-Year-Olds, Court Referrals are Lower FY 06-07 Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 19,242 FY 10-11 Delinquency, FWSN, YIC 15,332

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

10. ojjdp.gov 2010211 admissions 2009203 admissions 2008201 admissions 2007189 admissions 2006215 admissions CT Juvenile Training School Source: DCF CJTS Annual Reports to Legislature 06-10

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

12. 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.

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

14. 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

15. ojjdp.gov Raise the Age is Good for the Adult System Removed 4,000 16-year-olds from the adult system in 2010. Will remove an estimated 4,500 – 5,000 17-year-olds from the adult system in 2012. Remember, kids tried in the juvenile system show lower recidivism rates than those tried in the adult system.

16. 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 2011. 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 2010. The number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2011 has declined from the number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2010. Source: Judicial Branch