Until recently troubled children were getting help and Florida’s citizens were safer for it. As a result of a decade-old balanced approach of prevention, early intervention, treatment and punishment, the state’s juvenile crime rate had dropped by more than 20%.

Despite the successes, maintaining a balanced approach to public safety is in jeopardy. Budget cuts and policy shifts regarding proven prevention, early intervention and treatment programs have left parents, concerned citizens, law enforcement, prosecutors and judges with fewer options to deal with troubled youth.

Children with relatively minor offenses are ending up in expensive juvenile lock-ups and commitment programs. Placements do not effectively match the offenses or the control and supervision needs of the troubled youth less expensive alternatives to secure detention that protect the public safety are under-funded and underutlized of troubled youth.

It’s a huge price to pay! Kids need help before they go bad, or before someone you love becomes a victim.

• Juvenile Justice in Florida - Balanced, Fair, Accountable?
• Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) In Juvenile Justice- Is It Race or Economics?
• Girls In Florida's Juvenile Justice System - Do We Truly See Their Pain?
• Juvenile Justice in Florida - What Kind of Future?

 

Previous Policy Briefs

• Balancing The Investment of Tax Dollars Between Prevention, Intervention, & Punishment

• Abuse And Neglect Mean Double Trouble for Florida's Most Vulnerable Citizens, Our Children

• A Fair, Balanced, and Accountable Approach to Crime Requires More Than Punishment

• JJ Talking/Message Pointsdobe Acrobat

• Strategies For Strengthening the Families of Adolescents-CINS/FINS

• Florida Network of Youth and Family Services- TaxWatch Study