NCJ Number
251133
Date Published
2017
Length
1 page
Annotation
This report summarizes the provisions of Kansas' juvenile justice reform legislation (Bill 367), features of the technical assistance for implementing it, and the outcomes of the implementation.
Abstract
The intent of the legislation is to reduce detention and limit out of home placement for justice-involved juveniles and reinvest the savings from reduced confinement in evidence-based community supervision and treatment. Under Bill 367, juvenile detention is reduced by requiring detention risk assessment, expanding alternatives to detention, and requiring diversion programs at intake. Out-of-home placements for youth will be reduced by limiting State custody for lower level offenses and limiting probation length and time in custody. The reinvestment of savings from reduced confinement of youth will be directed to a statewide expansion of evidence-based programs in the community and allowing all eligible youth to access services regardless of the supervising agency. Technical assistance for the implementation of the legislation included training of personnel involved in risk assessment, diversion programs, probation supervision, the identification of evidence-based programs for supervision and treatment in the community, and the evaluation and monitoring of programs. Outcomes from implementing this legislation included a 23-percent reduction in detention at intake; a 28-percent decline in custody dispositions; significant declines in out-of-home placements; a decline in intensive supervision; and as of May 2017, the allocation of $8.4 million to community-based supervision and treatment.