180 likes | 315 Views
17-Year-Old Offenders in the Adult Criminal Justice System. Legislative Audit Bureau April 2008. Criminal Justice System. 1995 Wisconsin Act 27 placed 17-year-old offenders under criminal court jurisdiction Law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judges all have important roles
E N D
17-Year-Old Offendersin the Adult CriminalJustice System Legislative Audit Bureau April 2008
Criminal Justice System • 1995 Wisconsin Act 27 placed 17-year-old offenders under criminal court jurisdiction • Law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and judges all have important roles • Wisconsin’s Department of Corrections supervises 17-year-old offenders in prison and on probation
Sentences for 17-Year-Old Offenders • There were higher incarceration rates in Milwaukee and Racine counties • There were higher incarceration rates for African-American and Hispanic/Latino offenders • Types of crimes varied by race/ethnicity • Availability of alternative justice programs varied across the state
17-Year-Old Offenders in Five County Jails • Most of these offenders were jailed for less than one week • Public order crimes were the most common reason for booking these offenders into jail • The delivery of educational services varied among the counties • Rehabilitative programs available to these offenders was minimal
17-Year-Old Offenders Entering the Adult Correctional System (2002-2006)
Programming Participation in Prison (17-Year-Old Offenders) • 494 of 585 offenders participated in some type of programming • 429 participated in at least one educational program • In a detailed review of 37 inmate files: • 17 of 31 offenders without a high school diploma or equivalency earned one while incarcerated • 20 of 37 offenders were identified as having moderate or serious alcohol or drug problems
Programming Needs of Offenders Placed on Probation • 79.6 percent had not completed 12th grade • 13.8 percent were found to be in need of treatment because of frequent alcohol abuse • 21.3 percent were found to be in need of treatment because of frequent abuse of drugs • No statewide data were available on the receipt of services by these offenders
Probation Outcomes for 17-Year-Old Offenders (2002-2006 Placements)
Issues for Legislative Consideration • Retain adult criminal court jurisdiction over 17-year-olds • Change the age of adult court jurisdiction to 18 years-of-age • Make incremental change to adult court jurisdiction • Delay any change to adult court jurisdiction to allow for planning at the state and local levels
17-Year-Old Offendersin the Adult CriminalJustice System Legislative Audit Bureau April 2008