Report: The Rising Cost of the City's Juvenile Justice System

On December 17, 2007, the Independent Budget Office of the City of New York released a 13 page fiscal brief detailing the rising cost of New York City's juvenile justice system. The report details each stage of processing juveniles through the system, and the costs associated with each phase of juvenile justice processing. "Overall," says the report "the total cost of providing juvenile justice has increased from $202 million in 2003 to more than $251 million estimated for the current fiscal year - a rise of 24 percent." Access the report at www.ibo.nyc.ny.us or download the report here. The Rising Cost of the City’s Juvenile Justice System

NYC Department of Juvenile Justice announces Release-to-Parent initiative

On November 1, 2007, the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) announced a plan to release certain youth admitted to DJJ to parental custody following arrest and police admission. According to advocates, DJJ has always had the prerogative to release police admits from their custody, but in the past had not exercised that option. The Release-to-Parent initiative is potentially significant as police admits currently account for nearly two-thirds of detention admissions. The announcement was made at a forum for faith and community leaders convened by Rev. Alfonso Wyatt at the Crossroads Juvenile Detention Center in Brooklyn.

OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion meets with faith and community leaders in the Bronx

On Monday, November 26 OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion met with faith and community leaders to discuss her vision for juvenile justice reform in New York State. The event, “What Faith and Community have to do with the Crisis of Children & Families of Color" was held at the Latino Pastoral Action Center in the Bronx. Commissioner Carrion spoke frankly about the immense task of effectively serving the children for whom she is responsible. She asked for help from faith and community leaders to address the vast needs of children in OCFS custody. She also asked them to hold her accountable and to continue to advocate for reform.