Few Violent Crimes
More than 2 million youth arrests occurred in 2007 with about 5% categorized as violent crimes.
Too many kids are unnecessarily or inappropriately thrown into detention, with long-lasting negative consequences for both public safety and youth development. This guidebook on Casey’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) captures alternative practices to juvenile detention that counties can implement while cutting costs and increasing public safety.
The most effective programs at reducing youth crime and relapses exist in the community rather than the juvenile justice system, and these programs are often cheaper than detention.