Data Deficient
Only 26 states reported any data on the recidivism rates of youth leaving juvenile corrections programs, according to a 1999 survey.
The bad news? When it comes to America’s juvenile justice system, failure, waste and even abuse of troubled youth are rampant. The better news? Thanks to promising reform efforts and policy innovations, which this publication explores, the prospects for progress have never been stronger.
AdvoCasey is a seasonal newsletter with themed issues that spotlight programs and policies making measurable differences in the lives of kids and families.
Many experts will tell you that our heavy reliance on confinement isn’t really the best way to operate a juvenile justice system. Detention is expensive — more than $100 per kid per day. It’s also deeply disruptive; it separates minors from their families while interrupting their education and employment.