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Presented by: Rep. Toni Walker, New Haven, Connecticut OJJDP Conference October, 2011. Presentation assistance provided by:. 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
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Presented by: Rep. Toni Walker, New Haven, Connecticut OJJDP Conference October, 2011 Presentation assistance provided by:
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 … … kids referred to court were down …
We made thechange when … … detention average daily populations were down … Source: Judicial Branch
Juveniles Committed to the DCF 1999-2010 and 2011 (Projected) 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
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: comparing CY 2009 intakes to CY 2010 intakes
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 an estimated 4,500 – 5,000 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 AND, through July 2011 • Every month in 2011 has showed 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
More Family Support CentersMore Kids ServedMore Diversion Source: Judicial Branch