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Harris County JDAI: Juvenile Justice and Detention Reform

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Presentation on theme: "Harris County JDAI: Juvenile Justice and Detention Reform"— Presentation transcript:

1 Harris County JDAI: Juvenile Justice and Detention Reform
Annie E. Casey Foundation Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) Harris County JDAI: Juvenile Justice and Detention Reform Tom Brooks, Executive Director Juvenile Probation HCJPD Coordinator Nancy Baird, Site Coordinator JDAI Harris County

2 Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative
Purpose: To demonstrate that jurisdictions can establish more effective and efficient systems to accomplish the purposes of juvenile detention. 5 Core Objectives: 1) Eliminate inappropriate or unnecessary use of secure detention. 2) Minimize failures to appear and incidence of delinquent behavior. 3) Redirect public finances to successful reform strategies. Improve conditions in secure detention facilities. Reduce racial and ethnic disparities.

3 Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)
JDAI: 8 Core Strategies Collaboration Reliance on Data Objective Admissions Criteria (RAI) Alternatives to Secure Detention Expedited Case Processing 6. Strategies for “Special” Detention Cases (VOPS, WRITS, Warrants, etc.) 7. Strategies to Reduce Racial Disparities 8. Rigorous Facility Inspections

4 Harris County JDAI Definition of Detention
“Detention is the temporary and safe custody of juveniles. Generally, secure detention should be utilized for youth who by nature of their offense(s) or conduct are found to be a danger to self/others, or are believed to be a flight risk. Less restrictive alternatives to secure detention are preferred.” (Approved by JDAI Executive Steering Committee 07/22/08) Our Horizon is as distant as our mind’s eye wishes it to be. ~Jim E. Casey~

5 Governing Structure of Harris County JDAI
Executive Steering Committee – Governing Body of Harris County JDAI Ed Emmett Chair County Judge Harris County Sylvia R. Garcia Vice-Chair Commissioner Harris County Commissioners Court Sylvia Bolling Member Director Aldine Y.O.U.T.H. Center Tom Brooks Executive Director Harris County Juvenile Probation Rev. D.Z. Cofield Senior Pastor Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church Dr. Ralph Draper Superintendent Spring Independent School District Adrian Garcia Sheriff Ana Hernandez Representative State of Texas, District 143 Harold Hurtt Chief of Police Houston Police Department Patricia Lykos District Attorney Ernest “Uche” Orieh Co-Founder PEENA Deacon Joe Rubio Vice President Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Dr. Steven Schnee Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA) Michael Schneider Judge 315th District Court Kay Sim Houston Bar Association

6 Governing Structure of Harris County JDAI
Management Oversight Committee Governing Body of Harris County JDAI Task Forces John Phillips Chair Judge 314th District Court Thomas Brooks Vice-Chair Executive Director Harris County Juvenile Probation Nancy H. Baird Member Site Coordinator Harris County JDAI Sylvia Bolling Director Aldine Y.O.U.T.H. Center Luis Gavito Director, Charter & Safe Schools Initiative Houston Independent School District Bill Moore Juvenile Division Chief Harris County DA’s Office Andrea Hinckson Deputy Chief of Staff State Senator Rodney Ellis Ron C. Lewis Attorney Marshall & Lewis LLP Rev. Leslie Smith CEO Change Happens! John Trevino Assistant Chief Houston Police Department

7 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
1. Collaboration – Committees and Task Forces Executive Steering Committee – Created and Active Management Oversight Committee – Created and Active Training Harris County staff and stakeholders – Created and Active 250 community stakeholders committed to reforming Harris County’s juvenile justice system.

8 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
2. Reliance on Data – Active and Ongoing Establishing, gathering, and monitoring relevant data for inclusion in JDAI reports and improved services to juveniles. Ongoing submission of quarterly, progress, and results reports to Annie E. Casey Foundation JDAI.

9 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
3. Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) Task Force Purpose: Develop objective Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) for Juvenile Probation Intake to decide whether to detain or a release a referred juvenile. Chairs: Tim Broussard and Susan Bonich, Juvenile Probation Administrators. Status: Risk Assessment Instrument (RAI) implemented on February 1, 2009. Update: 32% reduction in detention population since implementation of JDAI (2007).

10 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
4. Rigorous Facility Inspections – Self-Inspection Task Force Purpose: Examine all aspects of Juvenile Detention’s policies, practices, and programs to prepare a comprehensive report on findings and implementation of corrective action plans. Chairs: Dennis Englade – Juvenile Probation Officer and Malikah Marrus – Researcher, Southwest Juvenile Defender Program, University of Houston. Status: Self-Inspection completed, final report due January 2010.

11 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
5. Alternatives to Secure Detention Task Force ✓ Purpose: Develop a continuum of services for additional alternatives to detention. Chairs: Judge Beverly Malazzo – Juvenile Court Referee Rebecca DeCamara – Projects Director, Juvenile Probation Status: Initial meeting in October 2008. ✓ Update: Contract with Southwest Keys Program to open Neighborhood Evening Reporting Center in January

12 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
6. Case Processing Task Force Purpose: Expedite flow of cases through the juvenile justice system. Chairs: Helen Jackson – Retired H.C. Assistant District Attorney Guadalupe Mendiola – Court Services, Juvenile Probation. ✓ Status: Initial Task Force meeting January 2009, and initial recommendations submitted to Management Oversight Committee October 2009.

13 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
7. Strategies to Reduce Racial Disparities – DMC Task Force Purpose: Develop strategies aimed at eliminating bias and ensuring a level playing field for youth of color. Chairs: Judge Mike Fields and Gloria Moreno – Commissioner Sylvia Garcia’s office. Status: Initial meeting February 2009, completed Burns Institute training, and reviewing preliminary data.

14 8 Core Strategies – Activities & Results to Date
8. Strategies for “Special” Detention Cases (VOPS, WRITS, Warrants,) ✓ Purpose: Evaluate and develop new practices for youth in custody as a result of probation violations, writs and warrants, and those awaiting placement. ✓ Chairs: Julia Ramirez, Deputy Chief, Juvenile Probation & Eric Laird, Constable, Precinct 1. Status: Initial meeting May 2009, developing progressive sanctions grid.

15 Harris County Juvenile Probation
Statistics 2007 2008 Change Referrals to Juvenile Probation 23,164 20,885 ↓ 11% Detention Admits 6,649 5,363 – males 1,276 – females 6,597 5,446 – males females ↓ 1/2% Petitions Filed by DA 15,706 14,608 ↓ 8% Residential Facilities 4,098 515 – non-county 3,583 – county 3,654 633 – non-county 3,021 – county ↓ 12% TYC Commitments 533 299 ↓ 78% Staff 1,500 1,511 ↑ 1% Law Enforcement 130 -- School Districts 26 Annual Budget $ 95 Million $ Million ↑ 11%

16 JDAI and Harris County For Additional Information:
Nancy H. Baird, Site Coordinator, Harris County JDAI (cell) Tom Brooks, Executive Director, Harris County Juvenile Probation Annie E. Casey Foundation JDAI Help Desk


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