Presented by:Rep. Toni Walker, New

Haven, ConnecticutOJJDP Conference

October, 2011Presentation assistance provided by:

Why Raise the Age?

Keeping kids in the juvenile system prevents crime•Lower recidivism vs. peers in adult system

Juvenile system often holds kids more accountable•Crimes that appear minor in adult court get attention here•Must go to school, participate in counseling, other services mandated by the court

Where do states stand?

• Two (NY, NC) set adulthood at 16• Connecticut is one of 11 states that sets

it at 17• Federal law is moving toward protecting

anyone under 18 as a juvenile

The law in Connecticut

• As of January, 2010, 16-year-olds joined the juvenile system

• As of July, 2012, 17-year-olds will join the juvenile system

• (Kids charged with A and B felonies are still treated as adults)

Finding Room

Even after adding16-year-olds, the system

is still smaller today than it was just a few years ago

We made thechange when …

… kids referred to court were down …

Source: Judicial Branch

We made thechange when …

… detention average daily populations were down …

Juveniles Committed to the DCF

1999-2010 and 2011 (Projected)

Source: Judicial Branch

2010 211 admissions2009 203 admissions 2008 201 admissions 2007 189 admissions 2006 215 admissions

CJTS admissions have not yet seen a major impact

Source: DCF CJTS Annual Reports to Legislature 06-10

The impactof 16-year-olds

• Projected system increase: 40%• Actual system increase: 22%• And remember:

The system is still smallerthan it was just a few years ago.

Source: Judicial Branch: comparing CY 2009 intakes to CY 2010 intakes

Unspent money to implement Raise the Age

FY2010 $7.1 million

Estimated unspentin FY2011 $4.7 million

Total $11.8 million

Financial impactless than anticipated

Source: Office of Fiscal Analysis

Why is the systemshrinking?

• Smart investments in prevention• FWSN reform, Family Support Centers• Home-based interventions• A commitment to serve kids in the least

restrictive environment

What’s been the resultof this new approach?

Good for public safety

Source: Judicial Branch

What’s been the resultof this new approach?

Good for the budget

Avg. daily cost

Detention $377

Secure residential $562

CJTS $774

Raise the Age is goodfor the adult system

• Removed 4,000 16-year-olds from the adult system in 2010

• Will remove an estimated 4,500 – 5,000 17-year-olds from the adult system in 2012

Remember, kids tried in juvenile system show lower recidivism rates than those tried in adult system

System continues to “right size”

• Number of youth under 16 in juvenile justice system reduced 10% between 2009 and 2010

AND, through July 2011• Every month in 2011 has showed a reduction in the number

of court referrals of those 15 and under when compared to the same month in 2010.

• The number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2011 has declined from the number of 16-year-olds referred to court in 2010.

Source: Judicial Branch

More Family Support CentersMore Kids Served

More Diversion

Source: Judicial Branch