JDAI Site Updates
Minnesota Sites Lower Average Daily Population
Two Minnesota counties have lowered their detention populations after adopting JDAI practices.
A small facility in Dakota County that averaged 35 youth per day in 2005 has averaged 21 in 2008, a reduction of 40 percent.
Al Godfrey, former deputy director of community corrections in Dakota County, said that because of JDAI’s comprehensive and aggressive efforts, Minnesota will likely avoid costly new construction for detention beds while also improving services for youth.
Frank Hosch, deputy director of community corrections in Ramsey County, said greater scrutiny of who is being detained has significantly impacted the detention population.
"We rely heavily on data and try not to detain young people who pose no risk to public safety," Hosch said.
In 2005 the average daily population in Ramsey’s juvenile detention center was 89. The rated capacity was 85. In 2008, daily population averaged 56, a reduction of 37 percent.
The JDAI stakeholders in Minnesota hope their reform efforts will also help address ethnic and racial disparities. A recent report found that 17 percent of youth in Minnesota are youth of color, yet 80 percent of youth in detention are African American and Native American.
For more information contact Angelique Kedem at Kedem@mncounties.org.
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