New Report Urges Cost-Effective Reforms of Juvenile Justice Systems
New Report Urges Cost-Effective Reforms of Juvenile Justice Systems
National Juvenile Justice Network
July 14, 2010
July 14, 2010
Washington, D.C. - With many states facing alarming budget shortfalls, now is the time for cost-effective strategies to improve and shrink juvenile justice systems, according to a new report from the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN). The Real Costs and Benefits of Change: Finding Opportunities for Reform During Difficult Fiscal Times, explores an array of reforms that states have successfully utilized to improve outcomes for youth, increase public safety, and reduce costs.
The report highlights concrete strategies, both substantive and tactical, that have been proven to save states money and treat youth more appropriately and effectively. One such strategy is to adopt a fiscal realignment model, through which states provide incentives to encourage localities to treat young offenders through community- and evidence-based programs, and decrease their use of costly state-funded juvenile prison beds. Programs such as this in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and California have saved states significant amounts of money while improving outcomes for kids.
"Rather than indiscriminately cutting juvenile justice funding, we can use the current budget crisis as an opportunity to serve youth better by rethinking our current modes of spending," says Betsy Clarke, co-chair of NJJN. "By spending wisely, states can both save money and have better outcomes for youth, families and communities." NJJN also uses the report to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of "downsizing" through closing youth correctional centers or lowering detention populations. Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and New Mexico, all have realized significant savings from downsizing. A growing body of research also points to the harmful effects of institutionalization on youth and the effectiveness of community-based programming. Studies have found that placing youth in "training schools" and other juvenile facilities increases their chance of future delinquent and adult criminal behavior, disrupts normal development and educational progress, and negatively impacts short- and long-term employment opportunities for youth.
According to Abby Anderson, co-chair of NJJN, the urgency of the changes cited in the report has been heightened by the current fiscal crisis. While many of these reforms were instituted before the current financial meltdown, their cost-savings benefits have become even more salient.
"This is documented proof that states must stop wasteful spending on archaic and expensive juvenile prisons, which can cost as much as $800 a day, or more than $290,000 per year to house just one youth," said Anderson. "Not only are these practices expensive, but they are also ineffective. The juvenile justice system's goal should be rehabilitation, and we know that community-based services are much more effective in helping kids get back on track."
NJJN urges advocates to help educate their local policymakers around the expense and disastrous effects of juvenile institutions and with the existence of sensible alternatives that will both achieve cost-cutting goals and increase public safety.
The report highlights concrete strategies, both substantive and tactical, that have been proven to save states money and treat youth more appropriately and effectively. One such strategy is to adopt a fiscal realignment model, through which states provide incentives to encourage localities to treat young offenders through community- and evidence-based programs, and decrease their use of costly state-funded juvenile prison beds. Programs such as this in Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and California have saved states significant amounts of money while improving outcomes for kids.
"Rather than indiscriminately cutting juvenile justice funding, we can use the current budget crisis as an opportunity to serve youth better by rethinking our current modes of spending," says Betsy Clarke, co-chair of NJJN. "By spending wisely, states can both save money and have better outcomes for youth, families and communities." NJJN also uses the report to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness of "downsizing" through closing youth correctional centers or lowering detention populations. Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and New Mexico, all have realized significant savings from downsizing. A growing body of research also points to the harmful effects of institutionalization on youth and the effectiveness of community-based programming. Studies have found that placing youth in "training schools" and other juvenile facilities increases their chance of future delinquent and adult criminal behavior, disrupts normal development and educational progress, and negatively impacts short- and long-term employment opportunities for youth.
According to Abby Anderson, co-chair of NJJN, the urgency of the changes cited in the report has been heightened by the current fiscal crisis. While many of these reforms were instituted before the current financial meltdown, their cost-savings benefits have become even more salient.
"This is documented proof that states must stop wasteful spending on archaic and expensive juvenile prisons, which can cost as much as $800 a day, or more than $290,000 per year to house just one youth," said Anderson. "Not only are these practices expensive, but they are also ineffective. The juvenile justice system's goal should be rehabilitation, and we know that community-based services are much more effective in helping kids get back on track."
NJJN urges advocates to help educate their local policymakers around the expense and disastrous effects of juvenile institutions and with the existence of sensible alternatives that will both achieve cost-cutting goals and increase public safety.
The National Juvenile Justice Network is a membership organization of state-based juvenile justice coalitions and organizations that advocate for state and federal laws, policies and practices that are fair, equitable and developmentally appropriate for all children, youth and families involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, the justice system. For more information about NJJN, please visit www.njjn.org and/or email info@njjn.org.
Read the report.
