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Concerns about increased juvenile delinquency cases sent for prosecution
1:17:37
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105 sec
Council Member Restler expresses concern over the increase in juvenile delinquency cases sent for prosecution, rising from 24% to 38%. He argues that this shift is leading to more young people facing incarceration and entering the criminal justice system.
- Restler highlights the doubling of cases eligible for adjustment
- He criticizes the cuts to diversion programs made by Commissioner Holmes
- The Department of Probation representatives clarify that referral to the presentment agency doesn't necessarily result in incarceration
Lincoln Restler
1:17:37
Yes and according to the data that we looked at from the MMR, we saw that the number of cases that juvenile delinquency cases that were eligible for adjustment has doubled as a percentage.
1:17:48
So one out of five cases to two out of five cases since the beginning of the Adams administration.
1:17:53
That's a major problem.
1:17:54
We're seeing thirteen percent increase in the number of cases that are sent to the law department for prosecution from 24% to 38% 14%, excuse me.
1:18:01
So those are major shifts that are leading to more of our young people ending up in incarceration, our criminal justice system.
1:18:08
And if we had more diversion opportunities and had the programs that are evidence based and successful that Commissioner Holmes cut from the budget for no good reason, we would have less young people facing this unfortunate reality.
1:18:19
Two more items I'd like to touch on briefly if the chair will be so generous.
Unknown
1:18:22
I'm sorry, may I answer, make a response to your question or your statement I
Althea Stevens
1:18:28
just want
Unknown
1:18:28
to just underscore, it's important to note that eligibility and suitability are distinct considerations.
1:18:34
While some cases may not be eligible for adjustment, referral to the presentment agency which you referred to does not equate to incarceration.
1:18:42
Understood.
1:18:43
Rather youth may be placed in juvenile detention while their case proceeds.
1:18:47
And again we
Althea Stevens
1:18:48
are It doesn't equate to incarceration, it's outcome.
Lincoln Restler
1:18:51
A likely outcome.
Unknown
1:18:52
I'm sorry?
Lincoln Restler
1:18:53
It doesn't equate to incarceration, but it's a potential and likely outcome for the individuals who are facing that reality.
1:18:58
And at a time when our juvenile justice centers are overwhelmed with people, kids have been sleeping in the hallway, we have serious problems, we want to make sure that we're sending the people there who absolutely need to go there.
1:19:07
So I just have I'm I'm over on time.
1:19:09
Got two more items I got to get through The intensive community monitoring program, is it currently operational?
1:19:15
Of course.
1:19:17
Okay.
1:19:17
We've received I mean I just wanted you to sense this.
1:19:20
This is a pile of letters that we get