KDOC

TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced that improvements to the juvenile justice system, based upon reforms enacted in 2016 with Senate Bill 367, generated $12.3 million dollars in FY17 for reinvestment in evidence-based programs for juveniles.

By reducing the use of out-of-home placements, focusing resources on the highest-risk juveniles, and investing in evidence-based alternatives that allow youth to be supervised safely while remaining at home, Kansas is generating the reinvestment opportunities envisioned as part of system reform.

The amount of reinvestment funds generated was announced Wednesday by KDOC Secretary Joe Norwood at a meeting of the Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee – the group formed by SB 367 to oversee implementation of reforms.

“We’re pleased that the number was even larger than anticipated, and will go far toward meeting the goal of effectively holding youth accountable in their homes, with their families,” Norwood told the group. “The changes we’re making allow us to do what the research says works best for juveniles.”

While the law will not be fully in effect for several more years, benefits are already being demonstrated. KDOC closed one of its two juvenile corrections facilities – Larned Juvenile Correctional Complex – in March, as fewer youth were needing to be incarcerated.

Research recently released by the Pew Charitable Trusts projected a reduction in juvenile residential placements of approximately 60 percent by 2022, which would yield additional reinvestment in alternatives to incarceration. (see the full article at http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/analysis/2017/06/20/juvenile-justice-reforms-in-kansas-show-early-signs-of-success)