FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2015
State Releases Plans to Improve Juvenile Justice System, Promote Public Safety, and Reduce Costs
Topeka, KS –– The Kansas Juvenile Justice Workgroup today submitted to state leaders a comprehensive set of data-driven policy recommendations designed to increase public safety, effectively hold juvenile offenders accountable and reduce juvenile justice costs. The Workgroup’s recommendations will be used as the foundation for statutory, budgetary, and administrative changes during the 2016 session of the legislature.
In keeping with its charge from state leaders, the Workgroup issued 40 consensus-based recommendations that if fully implemented are projected to reduce the average daily out-of-home population by at least 62 percent from projected levels in 2021, leaving millions available for reinvestment. Other highlights of the policy recommendations include:
The report is available at: www.doc.ks.gov/juvenile-services/committee/Workgroup/report/Final.
While the juvenile arrest rate in Kansas dropped more than 50 percent from 2004 to 2013, the state’s community supervision and residential commitment populations have not fallen at the same rate. In particular, the out-of-home placement population did not mirror the drop in the juvenile arrest rate, declining by roughly half as much (24 percent). Kansas is currently ranked 9th highest nationally in out of home placements for juvenile justice involved youth.
Beginning in June 2015, the Workgroup conducted a comprehensive analysis of the juvenile justice system, reviewing key data from the Office of Judicial Administration (OJA), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and KDOC, and gathering input from those who work on the front lines through more than two dozen roundtable discussions with stakeholders, including law enforcement, crime victims, judges, county and district attorneys, and service providers. The Workgroup also reviewed current research on reducing recidivism as well as effective policies and practices from states across the country.
"These recommendations are an important step forward for juvenile justice in Kansas," said Governor Brownback. "Our priority is helping Kansas youth and their families. These steps mean less crime, lower costs for taxpayers and better outcomes for everyone involved."
Key findings of the Workgroup include:
“We charged the work group with studying the juvenile justice system to see if there were opportunities for better outcomes for our youth and our communities,” said Chief Justice Nuss. “I am encouraged by their recommendations and believe they should help us create a more efficient and effective juvenile justice system.”
“The recommendations in this report help provide the Legislature with a framework for achieving a brighter future for our state’s youth,” said Speaker Merrick. “With these recommendations we are better positioned to assist troubled juveniles to avoid a future of incarceration and instead become productive members of society.”
“The policies put forth by the Workgroup will help improve the juvenile justice system in Kansas,” said Senate President Susan Wagle. “Together we can create better policy that will result in having fewer youth in our juvenile system, and fewer coming into our adult corrections system as well.”
“I am encouraged that Kansas is focusing on its juvenile justice system,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley. “The Legislature now has an opportunity to work together to improve the lives of our youth, families, and communities.”
“Kansas needs a juvenile system that focuses on public safety and improving the outcomes of youth, said House Minority Leader Burroughs. “I look forward to working on them during the next legislative session.”
The Workgroup is co-chaired by Representative John Rubin and Senator Greg Smith, chairs of the House and Senate Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committees. It also includes 15 additional members:
The state received technical assistance from The Pew Charitable Trusts’ Public Safety Performance Project throughout the Workgroup process.
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]]>June 11, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Brownback, Kansas Leaders Announce Formation of Juvenile Justice Workgroup
Topeka – Governor Sam Brownback, legislative leaders and Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Lawton Nuss today announced formation of a bipartisan panel that will examine Kansas’ juvenile justice system and recommend comprehensive reforms aimed at improving public safety and outcomes for youth.
The launch of the inter-branch Juvenile Justice Workgroup marks the first critical step of a wide-ranging review of Kansas’ juvenile justice system. Following a model used successfully by many other states, the panel will conduct an intensive, data-driven analysis of the system, evaluating policies and practices to develop proposals for effective reforms.
“Juvenile justice reform is a priority for my administration,” Governor Brownback said. “I look forward to an honest assessment of what’s working and what could be improved. I want to see recommendations that help Kansas protect public safety and improve outcomes across our juvenile justice system."
Formation of the Workgroup comes amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of the Kansas juvenile justice system, for juveniles and taxpayers alike. Some of these concerns have been raised recently by the Kansas Legislature's Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice.
Although juvenile commitment rates have declined in Kansas, the drop has not kept pace with national trends. The most recent national statistics show that while the average commitment rate across the country declined 48 percent from 1997 to 2011, Kansas experienced a reduction of 38 percent over the same time period.
“Over the next six months, the Workgroup will examine the juvenile justice system from top to bottom,” said Chief Justice Nuss. “It will take a hard look at our system to see if it is working as best as it can, and if it is not up to snuff, the experts on the Workgroup will recommend changes to improve outcomes across the board.”
Made up of representatives from all branches of state government as well as law enforcement, the Workgroup will review key data from across the juvenile system and gather input from those who work on the front lines with youth and their families. In developing proposals for reform, the group’s priorities will be to:
The Workgroup’s recommendations will be used as the foundation for statutory, budgetary and administrative changes during the 2016 legislative session. A portion of any cost savings from reforms or averted expenditures would be reinvested in strategies and programs shown to reduce recidivism, hold juvenile offenders accountable and promote public safety.
Joining Governor Brownback and Chief Justice Nuss to establish the Workgroup were Senate President Susan Wagle, Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, Speaker of the House Ray Merrick and House Minority Leader Tom Burroughs. All of the officials expressed optimism that the Workgroup’s review will produce meaningful improvements, leading to better outcomes for youth, their families and Kansas taxpayers.
“The primary goal of this Workgroup is to increase public safety and create a more effective and efficient juvenile justice system,” said House Speaker Merrick. “Working together we can do better for our kids, families and communities by shifting policy and resources toward smarter strategies that cost less. I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Workgroup later this year.”
“The Workgroup will take a hard look at whether the system is actually achieving the goals that we as a legislative body have set,” said Senate President Wagle. “If we are not living up to our own goals, I urge the Workgroup to help us find ways to improve.”
“I am encouraged that Kansas will be working to develop comprehensive reforms to our juvenile justice system,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley. “Now Kansas has an opportunity to take a look at the entire system, rather than select areas, to help troubled juveniles avoid a future of incarceration and instead become productive members of society.”
“Kansas needs a system where juveniles aren’t just locked up, but one in which they have access to high quality rehabilitation services and the opportunity to redeem themselves and get back on the right path,” said House Minority Leader Burroughs.
The Workgroup is co-chaired by Representative John Rubin and Senator Greg Smith, chairs of the House and Senate corrections and juvenile justice committees. It also includes 15 additional members:
The state will receive technical assistance from The Pew Charitable Trusts throughout the Workgroup process and the 2016 legislative session.
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