Report
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.
More than 2 million youth arrests occurred in 2007 with about 5% categorized as violent crimes.
JDAI can adapt to be just as successful in rural areas as in urban and suburban areas.
Detention centers do not necessarily ensure safety or rehabilitation for the young people they hold.
Most kids involved in crime come from impoverished single-parent homes located in disinvested neighborhoods and have high rates of learning disabilities, mental health and substance abuse problems.
66% of detention facilities reported holding kids who do not need to be in detention, but were waiting for community mental health services.