The Initiative
In 1993, the Annie E. Casey Foundation launched a multiyear, multisite experiment called the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) aimed at developing more effective, efficient alternatives to juvenile detention.
This report—the first installment in a series devoted to revolutionizing detention programs and practices in America—shares the struggles and successes of three sites in Casey's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) that had walked the reform walk. Learn what they had to say about engaging experts, overcoming resistance and more in this 5-stage planning guide geared toward building a solid foundation for real-world detention reform.
This report describes a 5-stage approach to planning for juvenile detention reform. These stages are: 1. Paint a detailed picture of the current system and future needs; 2. Identify local juvenile detention goals; 3. Select reform strategies; 4. Identify cost, resources and barriers to reform; 5. Draft the action plan.
