A Dallas County detention bed costs $54,955 a year to operate. Nationally, two-thirds of youths in detention are held on allegations of non-violent offenses. Additionally, after controlling for offense severity and other factors, detained youths are three times more likely to enter costly long-term residential placement. Evidence suggests that, by mixing low-risk youths with more deviant peers and disrupting family life and schooling, detention actually increases re-offending. Moreover, detention does not help the victim obtain restitution.Dallas and Harris counties implemented the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) in 2007. Since then, Dallas has reduced its detention population by 48 beds, resulting in annual savings of $1 million. Similarly, Harris County closed a detention center and reduced detention costs 25 percent. Some 95 percent of Houston youths diverted from detention show up for their court date.While JDAI sites receive support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Dallas probation director Mike Griffiths believes other Texas counties can use similar strategies to downsize detention and achieve net savings.A key element of JDAI is use of a risk assessment instrument—an inventory of factors proven to more accurately predict whether youths will miss their court hearing or re-offend than a purely subjective determination. Factors may include the most serious alleged offense, number of charges, prior adjudications, and any prior instances of failing to appear. The Texas Juvenile Probation Commission should provide a statewide detention screening instrument for the vast majority of probation departments that don’t have one.Another component of JDAI is alternatives to detention. Among those used in Dallas is a day reporting center, in-home probation officer visits, GPS monitoring, and home detention.Only 4.5 percent of Dallas youths in an alternative program have re-offended prior to adjudication, compared to 10 percent of youths not in a program. At the four original national JDAI sites, juvenile arrests fell between 37 and 54 percent following implementation.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Texas counties can unlock kids and savings
The headline of this post is the title of a new policy brief (pdf) from Marc Levin at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Here's a notable excerpt:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
59 comments:
Mark is drinking the Kool-Aid!
JDAI is bad for juvenile probation and Mark's report is filled with half truths. The fact is, JDAI does not have the victim in mind nor does it hold juveniles accountable for crimes committed.
However, I will say this, it does save the county money! And at the end of the day, that is all people care about.
Grits, although the report appears to show solid evidence that not locking up kids is effective in reducing recidivism, i assure you that the effect is not produced by the cause. I'm not saying the data in the report is not accurate....what i'm saying is consider the sources!! I can assure you that the same results are met by counties that don't implement JDAI. JDAI is predicated on racial agendas and cost savings, not public protection. Do the research on The Casie Foundation and JDAI as well as their funding sources and it will be obvious what their agenda is.
12:27, Having accused Marc of "half truths" without having the cojones to put your name on your comments, why don't you at least say SPECIFICALLY which statements in his brief you believe are false?
12:37, it's BS to discount evidence, particularly if you don't dispute the information, by saying "consider the source." We have no source for your position, after all, except an anonymous blog comment, and that's a lot less credible than TPPF or the Annie Casey Foundation.
How about this phrase for starters:
"detention actually increases re-offending"
While juveniles that are placed in detention are more likely to re-offend than a child that has never been to detention, it is impossible to establish a cause and effect relationship between the two. To imply that a juveniles time in detention increases the likelihood of a juvenile committing a new offense is ridiculous at best.
Yes, he may meet some other delinquents while in detention, but you can say the same thing about a kid that has been ordered to attend chemical dependency counseling. He has essentially been court ordered to attend a group with people that share his same interests 'getting high'.
The most extensive study on JDAI was conducted over a 2 year period by Crime Victims United of Oregon.
The study was conducted in Portland Oregon exposing Multnomah County's JDAI site (an original and model site).
The study concludes that Annie E Casey manipulates data to achieve its liberal goals. The report interviews police, juvenile probation, and detention and exposes the fact that JDAI is very unpopular based on the fact that juveniles are not held accountable.
Multnomah County, a model site, is currently being sued for negligent supervision.
JDAI goes well beyond the decision to detain or release a child. JDAI negatively impacts the way detention centers are operated. JDAI also negatively impacts supervision once a juvenile is adjudicated and placed on probation.
I'm for anything that will divert young troubled kids from that useless TYC agency. Lets spend money to help kids, not abuse them more than they have been. Thanks.
TYC did not abuse kids! Certain individuals employed by TYC are the guilty party. I am sick and tired of this entire profession paying the price for a few corrupt individuals.
Not detaining kids as a result of an assessment tool's guidelines is nuts. Releasing violent kids back to the streets DOES NOT make them or the public safer. Working in a county that utilizes JDAI I can tell you the repeat offenders know they won't be locked up so they keep on. We have been told we cannot lock up a kid for a violation because it would raise the detention numbers and look bad. The local PD is mad because we won't accept kids that need to be off the street and have to be released because they don't fit the criteria. SURE arrest rates are going down. The PD's don't want to waste time arresting them if nothing is done to them.
Many officers in Dallas and Harris County have not embraced JDAI for the above reasons. Trust me, you are not alone! I have spoke with field officers at several different JDAI sites across the country and they feel the same. There seems to be an orchestrated effort to push JDAI statewide.
The Annie E Casey Foundation has designated Texas a target state and they are active in Texas.
The Chief in Dallas County has already expressed his wishes that JDAI be implemented statewide.
It is important that this is initiative be squashed in Texas and that decisions be made locally concerning juvenile justice.
GOODNESS 213; DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ABUSERS BUT LOOK THE OTHER WAY? OTHERWISE, WHY SO TOUCHY?
2:16 pm
You are absolutely right. In the Multnomah Study 47% of police officers surveyed acknowledged that there are times they will not write a report on a juvenile incident because they believe nothing will happen.
Therefore, crime is down and JDAI is a success.
3:55, perhaps 2:13 has glanced at this blog sometime in the last year? You're myopia should be reported to Guiness.
My bad, I ment 3:52 not 55.
I don't care what Big D and H town do just don't force anything on me. My center runs just fine, judges are happy and more importantly, the tax paying citizens are safe AND happy we lock up the bad kids. Let's keep it that way.
TYC employees spend most of their day trying to deal with a volatile and surly crowd. Each day they try to maintain as much order as possible and avoid incidents even while being cursed and disrespected. Outside critics find it easy to cast stones but they have no idea what it's really like.
Some outside blowhards and bloggers belong to organizations that have an axe to grind and they go looking for evidence to fit what they think should be there. If you will notice, they seem to never observe anything that does not support their political organization's agenda.
Some of the problems in TYC can be contributed to bad youth but we can't overlook the ignorance in the employee field and how abusers cause bad conduct from youth. The leadership lends also with a sense of loss of direction for the agency.
IF ONE BELIEVES THERE WERE ONLY TWO SEXUAL ABUSERS OF YOUTH IN TYC, THEN ONE WOULD BELIEVE TIGER WAS FAITHFUL TO HIS WIFE. JUST REFUSE TO SEND YOUR KIDS TO TYC AND AT LEAST THEY WON'T BE ABUSED WITHOUT QUESTION. GO LOCAL PROBATION, CLOSE THE GUTTER - TYC.
Several basic errors here.
First exposure to delinquent peers (i.e., alternative school, juvenile detention, etc.) is clearly a problem and does increase the risk of future delinquent behavior. this has also been shown to be true with lower level adult criminals. To say this is not true is ignorant. For a review read the book by Kenneth Dodge, "Deviant Peer Influences in Programs for Youth-Problems and Solutions" and yes they do offer some solutions...Research is based of the the Center for Child and Family Policy at Duke University (that's right, a good old southern institution). Brief summary of the book: "Most interventions for at-risk youth are group based. Yet, research indicates that young people often learn to become deviant by interacting with deviant peers. In this important volume, leading intervention and prevention experts from psychology, education, criminology, and related fields analyze how, and to what extent, programs that aggregate deviant youth actually promote problem behavior. A wealth of evidence is reviewed on deviant peer influences in such settings as therapy groups, alternative schools, boot camps, group homes, and juvenile justice facilities. Specific suggestions are offered for improving existing services, and promising alternative approaches are explored."
Second, to say that using a measure which utilizes a review of empirically based risk factors to determine risk of recidivism is unwarranted is also clearly ignorant. Several studies indicate that identifying lower level offenders and keeping them out of the justice system, providing intervention at home is more effective than detention and residential/correctional placement.
How did this get to TYC abuse topic? At issue is some liberal organization trying to force local departments to not lock down kids who have committed a crime. I have to live with the assessment tool all day every day and just because our administration thinks it is a feel good thing to do we release kids to the streets for the general public to deal with. Yes, they are living amongst your mothers and grandmothers, allowed to run free cause someone says it is good. BTW don't even think of locking down a "child of color".
8:49 so you are saying it is better to leave a street child on the street to commit more crimes and learn from experience than to lock them down, remove them from the element which got them there in the first place, and obtain counseling services???? MULARKY!!!!
If that's the case turn all the terrorist loose, they are just learning from each other while locked down.
Why are you all posting anonymously? I agree with Scott, anyone can say anything, no matter how irresponsible, if they cannot be held to what they say because they hide behind anonymity. Though I firmly believe in programs that divert kids from TYC, I am not, however, convinced by the JDAI approach. After all, only about 2 -3 % of the kids who are adjudicated for crimes end up in TYC. It appears that there is a lot of diversion going on already. For those who do not yet know who I am by my "nom de plume", J. Chase
8:33 we agree with you. Shutter TYC, keep kids in the community. That IS evident what the JDAI wants. Let the rapist try again.
Salty, we fear repurcussion from our departments for not agreeing with their decision to utilize JDAI. We get $100,000 from Casey and most of that money goes to pay 1 person's salary as the liason. We have had it made plain and clear from a former chief to do it or get out. Once the public finds out we keep releasing kids like this they will demand elected official's heads.
Anon 1:15,
Sorry but using research from the Crime Victims United of Oregon is like using a police union's research report to solely determine departmental pay raises. CVU want everyone jailed forever, preferably before or without a trial. End of story. For those complaining about JDAI the problem tends to be over implementation in a specific office. The idea is to minimize detention not preclude supervision (electronic monitoring, etc.) And for the cops complaining? Most only accept the premise of lock-up and lots of it as a solution to every social problem and anything otherwise is automatically considered garbage. Learned long ago to first look in the opposite direction for the probable humane solution to a problem.:~)
I agree 9:09!! Politicians would lose with JDAI on their platform.....and tax payers would want a refund.
I'm torn here somewhat but do agree that the state juvenile institutions of abuse should be used only as a last resort. The terrible conditions there and proven statewide abuses only make youngsters worse for the public to deal with.
9:46 I don't know where you can get off in a generalized statement like that. Evidently you have only listened to bloggers telling how bad things are at TYC and don't know for yourself OR don't care. As for county operated facilities I do not know of ANY who abuse kids. Incidents happen, ususlly as a result of one of those sweet innocent felons locked up for good reason who want to act out, but no one intentionally harms kids. A few bad apples and the entire state has to suffer. GET OVER IT!
As for JDAI who cares if Dallas and Harris county use it. Let them. I agree with another blogger though, don't force it on me. We need LESS state oversight especially from TJPC, not more. I wish Sunset recommendations had been passed and the puppets in the House had seen the light. What Texas needs is 1 agency dealing with juvenile issues. PERIOD.
"don't force it on me. "
It always amazes me when government bureaucrats think they can take state money but defy any strings attached. Life doesn't work that way.
8:49 makes the other substantive point I'd note: All the research disagrees with those of you who think locking up low-risk juvie offenders is the way to go. Whining anonymously and making unverifiable charges and assertions isn't the same as presenting evidence, which is what the JDAI proponents have done. As Salty points out, anybody can say anything if they refuse to be held accountable, and there's a LOT of that going on on this string.
Finally, just a terminology note: None of you are "bloggers." Bloggers operate blogs. You are commenting on a blog; that makes you commenters. And while I allow anonymous comments on this blog so govt employees can speak without exposing themselves, anonymous commenters have a special responsibility to avoid spurious attacks or smears, remain credible and back up their assertions with facts. Otherwise frankly there's very little reason for me or anyone else to take you seriously, especially on these juvie corrections strings.
ANON 9:28 - You could not be further from the truth with this statement:
"Sorry but using research from the Crime Victims United of Oregon is like using a police union's research report to solely determine departmental pay raises. CVU want everyone jailed forever, preferably before or without a trial. End of story. "
You clearly have not read the report based on your statment. The report is unbiased and does not support a 'get tough' approach on juvenile crime. It supports alternatives to detention; however, calls for a balanced approach when dealing with non-compliant youth.
I have spoken with the author of the report on multiple occasions regarding his in depth research into this initiative. To my surprise, he identifies himself as having liberal views when it comes these issues; however, he clearly sees the problem with JDAI when it comes to holding offenders accountable for criminal conduct.
Posting Anonymously??
If I oppose the philosphy of the department I work for, why would I use my name? Quit whining about the anonymous posts! It is unfortunate that we feel it is necessary to post anonymously
Correct me if I'm wrong, but once the courts also had the option of, instead of incarceration, offering young men before them the option of joining the military and making the effort to turn their lives around. I have an uncle who was a career military man who spent his career as a boot camp instructor. He was quite proud of how many of these young men who passed through his hands and went on to not re offend, have exemplary careers in both military and civilian arenas and kept in touch for years. I personally know several men, now in their 50's who faced prison sentences as teenagers who took that option, have done very well in life and give the credit to that decision. I would be curious to not only get an opinion here of that practice, but to hear if anyone knows why it is no longer used.
Here is a link to the Multnomah County Report. It is a long read; however, if your department is considering implementing JDAI, it is a must read. There are also three addendums to the report that can be found on their site.
http://www.crimevictimsunited.org/issues/juvenilejustice/multcoreport.pdf
Grits I agree with your last post except for one comment. We in the field have learned the hard way no matter how much data we throw to state agencies they already have their minds made up what they want and nothing will change it. There are a few GREAT statisticians in the county facilities who love to research yet when verifiable information is put out there by them it is ignored. There is a conference this week in which a chief will probably again make perfect sense on a funding formula method that he has presented several times before but has been shot down before. TJPC can't admit there are better methods available out there to do things. They were upset about the research and data provided for the pilot programs this past legislature. There has been numerous presentations to the TJPC board on how to improve operations in the fiels AND TJPC but deaf ears are turned. THEN the outspoken ones in public get blackballed because they are bucking the system. I for one am afraid to speak up in public because of the grief others have received for doing so. Numerous others say the same so I guess complacency will allow status quo.
Signed "Scared To Open My Mouth And Speak My Mind In Texas"
Dear Scared,
There are more of than you know who are in the same boat. My department relies heavily on state funding so I have to bite my tounge most of the time. If we could do without TJPC's nonsense we would but without the funding that is funnelled through them we would not have a juvenile probation department. Therefore I am also a "commenter" and anonymous at that. Too much power is had in the Austin area and no regard for what actually has to occur in the field to care for these kids. Most don't need to be locked up in my county plus it cost too much to house them in a detention center. I am glad I don't have a detention center due to the massive amount of standards TJPC has thrown on them. Where did minimum standards go?
A juvenile's risk to the community and public safety have absolutely nothing to with the offence for which they were charged, nor can that risk be determined by an assessment.
If a juvenile is charged with Possession of Marijuana, you can not label that kid low risk based on the fact he was charged with a Class B Misd. There are alot of factors to consider when determining whether a youth is detained, and yes, some of those are subjective.
946....You must live in a closed world. TYC folks also denied any wrondoing but the newspapers disclosed abuses all over the state. You and yours can also deny any knowledge, like many others just to make the problem worse. If you deny abuse long enough, you even start to believe your own lies. Good example for the kids, don't you think. Are you a good example also? Best.
The research findings of a recent Canadian study that lasted 20 years came to similar conclusions. The findings support alternatives to detention as delinquent behavior among teenage boys was found to have a contagious effect when the boys are locked up together. For more on this study, see http://askthejudge.info/is-delinquent-behavior-contagious/2643/#more-2643
LOL, what a ridiculous study!
Did they stop and consider that juveniles locked up are already high risk and more likely to reoffend. To assume their associations in detention contributed to their delinquency is a stretch. In many cases, they were associates prior to detention.
Delinquent youth run with other delinquent youth regardless of whether they meet in detention.
In fact, I would argue that associations are more likely to be established at an alternative to detention where there is much more freedom to interact.
These studies are conducted with the results in mind prior to the study.
If you want to know the outcome of the study, look at the source and those that provide the funding for the study.
Here is a quote from an advocate of JDAI:
He said that the Annie E. Casey foundation brought the facts of what many African Americans have been saying about racism in the justice system to light. The Casey Foundation did the research and showed the hard facts about the racism in the justice system.
“Suddenly, those of us who hollered racism were validated. Nobody wanted to bring up racism before in the justice system but Casey Foundation found it to be true, whether intentional or not, validating what we knew all along,” Carter said. “Blacks are treated harshly all along the way of the justice system. Now data supports it with no argument and all arguments to the contrary are off the table. It was commonly believed kids coming from broken, abusive or drug ridden-homes were repeat offenders, but the research now proves that the main risk factor to juveniles is if they spend one single day in detention,” Carter said. “Secure Detention trumps all other factor all together as to whether the child commits another crime or not.”
http://www.burnsinstitute.org/article.php?id=107
“Secure Detention trumps all other factor all together as to whether the child commits another crime or not.”
Thats right folks, its not drugs, crime ridden neighborhoods, poor parenting that leads to recidivism, its that one day in detention.
Anyone that would lend credence to the Burns Institute belongs in some institute.
The Burns Institute is very influential in juvenile justice related areas. They work closley with the Annie E Casey Foundation and are staunch supporters of JDAI.
Schumer, Clinton and Dodd were very influential in the handling of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, how do you think that worked out?
Gee, we all know that RAS is an idiot, yet he got this one right. Abuse a kid on the house!
Clearly a youth cannot be assessed by a charge. Any risk assessment tool, that reviews the entire spectrum of risk factors would not assess a youth based on a charge. Clearly some youth who are first caught up on drug charges are high risk youth, while some youth who commit serious offenses are actually at a low risk to reoffend. That is why we need empirical assessments to assist youth. No, I don't think just turning kids out is the answer either, but yes the kids likely will go back to the same environment, whether it is the day after arrest, or 3 years in TYC, so wouldn't it be better to utilize whatever community based services that are available for the youth and family, prior to incarceration and extended detention?
You also cannot , if that were the case all youth would be high risk becaus
sorry for the derailed statement at the end. I didn't see it was there. just ignore.
I see the ranting out in west texas is alive and well. When are you ever going to look in the mirror and realize you have nothing to gain with these kurt comments? You're not credible whatsoever in your rants here, or in your "self-published book."
Some of us want to banter these topics but you always want to disrupt the conversation with your own agenda. I quit reading topics on JJ on this blog because you've been distorting juvenile justice issues in the state since it's become a topic.
I checked in to read what GFB mentioned about the JDAI after hearing about it from a co-worker, hopeful - but it all goes for not when you comment.
Sorry GFB, but I don't see where this misfit matters and I'm sick of his antics. He's turned me away from reading and commenting any further.
(Ps. We are going to miss Will Harrell. Good luck man and keep in touch. You were a perfect ombudsman. Thanks for your help in keeping TDCJ out of TYC).
SHL
While promoting risk assessment tools, i don't believe there are empirically supported actuarial tools (those that define a youth's risk need based on some numerical transformation of categorical data) that create artificial categories. Risk assessment tools should be used to support professional judgment of a youth's risk and needs. A risk assessment tool may suggest guidelines but professionals must be able to utilize judgment, with appropriate conceptualization, to identify a youth as higher, or lower, risk to reoffend. You cannot just say they are all high risk and lock them up. Nor can you say they are all low risk and let them go. These decisions should be made on a multitude of evidence and factors.
that is an excellent point.
952 - The self published book you are referring to "Raped by The State", has sold several thousand copies and helped bring about the reform of TYC. Senator White actually used it on live TV coverage of the Senate hearings.
I thought the reforms started when the corrections committee started looking into all the massive problems at Evins and Hinojos started yelling "What about Pyote , What about Pyote." Evins is now under federal supervision, supposedly Corsicanna and Vernon have massive problems with staff/ student sexual relationships, far worse than Pyote ever was accused of being. Yea the former youth rights specialist from Pyote has really saved the kids in TYC.
As a by-stander or citizen that fails to understand the Texas Youth Commission, why do these problems go on and on? The legislature placed reforms however it seems agency employees have generally ignored the state laws and continue to violate the rights of youngsters in their care. Why hasen't the criminal employees been fired? If we send our young people to the commission they are only violated more and focused toward the criminal career. What is wrong with this strange and illusive abusive state agency?
I don't know of any criminal employees that haven't been fired. As far as legislative changes; I think Harrel was fired for working for the kids protection in opposition to Whitmire's pick to run TYC. I guess Will didn't understand that independent in a state beurocracy means in agreement with the big dogs. As far as ignoring the laws (SB 103), the legislature is guilty of ignoring the law more than anyone in TYC because the law calls for changes that will cost more than the previous programs, including my personal campaign the closing of Pyote which will require the parents from El Paso to drive one thousand miles round trip to visit their kids while SB103 calls for keeping the kids as close to home as reasonable to maximize family involvement. There are many commenters here that think that all of the kids leave TYC worse than they came in. That couldn't be further from the truth from my experience. Some of the kids we get come here getting two inches from our faces while calling us everything but human but two months later are using yes sir and no sir when talking to us and coming to us about personal problems such their baby's mommas breaking up with them or their own mothers telling them they don't want them to come back to live with them because they are scared of their own sons. A lot of them leave here still intending to pursue careers in the retail drug trade but over ninety percent leave here respecting the staff that tryed to get them to pursue legal careers. More than a few have tried to stay here rather than go home.
after some years working with kids, and reading pages of research, I can save millions of taxpayer dollars. The reality of social sciences is that relationships make people. Good ones make us better, bad ones make us worse. All social science research boils down to that one point. Now all these researchers can get a real job and try to help these kids, there are plenty to go around.
two points on previous "grits" posts,
1. state dollars are sent to the state from local sales tax, with no strings attached. So its the locals money to begin with.
2. Anonymous posts are because of this:
http://gritsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2009/02/welcome-juvie-probation-directors.html
Social science experts in TYC has been the problem and these so-called experts have gutted what was a good system at one time.
11:51. Your words are clearly more idiotic than the study. Please read AND UNDERSTAND before you write.
8:36 - You clearly enjoy putting everyone down, don't you? You clearly show your own ignorance.
Post a Comment