DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE UPDATE Presented to: The Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children

The Mission MISSION Public Safety Accountability Competency Skills

Community Corrections Gwendolyn B. Skinner, Deputy Commissioner #2 Peachtree St., 5th Floor, Atlanta Bonnie Teal, Admin. Assist Margaret Smith, Clerk VACANT, Operations Analyst Cheryl J. Dresser, Ast. Deputy Comm Don Nix, Reg. Admin. 225 W Line St., Ste.5 Calhoun Stella Browne Operations Analyst Micki Smith, Reg. Admin L’ville Hwy. Decatur Wanda Love Operations Manager District 1 Chris West, D.D Cleveland Ave., Bldg. 100-A East Point District 3 Preben Heidemann, D.D. 692 N. Glynn St., Ste. 300 Fayetteville District 5, Clayton Mims, D.D Gillionville Rd., Albany District 6, Adam Kennedy, D.D. Courthouse Sq., Reidsville District 4, Cameron Kelsey, D.D. 180 Emery Hwy., Macon District 2, Kip Mann, D.D. 855 Sunset Dr., Ste. 18 Athens Donna Shaw, Budget Analyst

PROPOSED DISTRICTS

PROPOSED REGIONS

Case Management and Court Services Case Managers: Juvenile Probation and Parole Specialists Case managers funded by grants 25.5 Case managers funded by counties 10.0 Privatized aftercare case managers 22.0 TOTAL 388.0

Youth involved in Court Services have more than doubled over the past 9 years

Profile of Youth in the DJJ System About 40% of all youth supervised or in custody of DJJ are eligible for special education services Of those screened: –Nearly half (46%) are classified as “emotionally or behaviorally disordered” –About 10% are classified as “severely emotionally disturbed” –17% are classified as “learning disabled”

Profile of Youth in RYDCs 79% boys / 21% girls 62% African -American Average age = 15

Profile of Youth in DJJ Long Term Facilities r90-day programs: 79% boys / 21% girls 58% African-American Average age = 16 rRegular YDC placement 94% boys / 6% girls 74% African-American Average age = 17

Georgia Experience : 123% increase in juvenile arrests 17% increase in “high risk” age group

Juvenile Arrests in Georgia by Gender: 1990 through MaleFemale

Georgia Juvenile Arrests For Violent Crimes, Ages 10-17, (murder, manslaughter, rape, agg. assault, robbery)

Georgia Juvenile Arrests For Major Property Crimes, Ages 10-17, (burglary, larceny, auto theft)

Georgia Total Juvenile Part II Arrests,

Juvenile Part II Arrest Rates ( ) Status offenses + 54% Public order + 55% Drug possession + 190%

RYDCs are Straining to Meet the Demands of the System RYDCs are overcrowded Physical plants are outdated and poorly designed Facilities are understaffed

RYDC Annual Admissions,

Most (71%) youth admitted to RYDCs during FY99 came in on Property, Public Order, or Violation of Probation offenses

Georgia Total Part II Juvenile Arrests, By Urban/Rural

Why are so many kids held in secure detention? Admission Practices Absence of a continuum of detention alternatives Differing opinions on the appropriate use of secure detention

RYDC Projections ( ) More growth in commitments (+16%) than non-commitments (+4%) More growth in females (+30%) than males (+1%)

Alternatives to Secure Detention Non-Secure Detention/Emergency Shelter Contract Home Multi-Service Center Housebound Detention Behavior Aides Tracking Conditional Release Wrap-Around Services

Initiatives Lorenzo Benn 27 Bed Non-Secure Detention Weekend Sanction Programs Multi-Systemic Family Therapy Chatham 12 Bed Non-Secure Detention 8 Bed Girls Group Home 33 Bed Wilderness Program (SE Georgia) Addition of 108 staff Assumption of RYDCs