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Decline in juvenile delinquency cases referred for diversion
1:15:14
ยท
143 sec
Council Member Lincoln Restler questions Commissioner Juanita Holmes about the significant decrease in juvenile delinquency cases referred for diversion, from 41% to 19%. Holmes explains that the reduction is not due to program availability but rather the nature of the crimes committed, with more violent felonies making youth ineligible for diversion.
- Holmes emphasizes that diversion is based on eligibility, not program availability
- The Department of Probation offers proactive programs for youth not on probation
- A 12.3% decrease in adjustments was reported from fiscal year 2023 to 2024
Lincoln Restler
1:15:14
So juvenile justice or juvenile delinquency, excuse me.
1:15:19
We've seen a remarkable decline in the number of juvenile delinquency cases that are being referred for diversion.
1:15:26
At the beginning of the Adams administration, forty one percent of cases were referred for diversion, now it's just nineteen percent.
1:15:31
So that means many more of our young people are being prosecuted, which of course is a direct result of your decision as becoming commissioner for cutting over $5,000,000 in diversion programs.
1:15:41
$700,000 to the impact program, $2,600,000 to the next steps program, 1,600,000.0 to the arches evidence based effective programs.
1:15:49
What programs are you advocating for in this budget to help reduce the number of youth who are under DOP supervision and who are avoiding prosecution?
Juanita Holmes
1:15:57
If you're referring to diversion cases, children, they're I believe it was 12% less.
1:16:03
Do you have the numbers for the diversion?
1:16:05
Diversion is based on eligibility, not the availability of programs.
1:16:09
There are plenty diversion programs that we use, whether it's DYC, whether it is the courts have diversion programs.
1:16:17
That is not why the number there's a reduction in the number of youth being referred to diversion programs.
1:16:24
There are youth that are committing violent felonies is the reason why they're not being referred to the diversion program and that's why it's important to have not just programs once they're on probation or in trouble, but being proactive and have programs available to them so it doesn't happen, which is another thing that DOP participates in.
1:16:44
We have a huge number of young people that attend our programs that are not on probation that utilize our neon centers that are not on probation.
1:16:54
We are very proactive when it comes to that.
1:16:57
So it is not related to any reduction in any program why these young people are not being diverted.
1:17:05
You can speak with to the numbers please.
1:17:07
Thank you.
Unknown
1:17:07
Thank you for the question regarding adjustments.
1:17:10
So in fiscal year twenty three there was as compared to fiscal year twenty four there was a 12.3% decrease in adjustment and as the commission said, we are regarding the decrease in adjustment, the Department of Probation is guided by the Family Court Act 308.1 and the Uniform Rules of Family Court 205.22 which outlines how cases are deemed suitable for diversion.