Juvenile Justice in Alameda County: We’re on Our Way but More Needs to Be Done for Our Children Paul Cobb | Publisher of the Post News Group It seems too much money in this case is too little. Alameda County spends $493,000 per year for each kid in its juvenile detention facilities but crime and recidivism remain high.
law or without reconsidering the actions that landed them in jail. In 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 823 into law requiring the state to transfer all youth committed to the California Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to their counties of residency. It also calls for the closure of DJJ by June 30 of this year.
The California juvenile justice system is reorienting itself, pivoting to emphasize education, treatment, and rehabilitation over punishment. But before we move on, let’s pause, and take an honest look at the history of a system that was broken and has been in disarray for many, many decades.
As of July 1, 2021, to support the successful implementation of SB 823’s transition and ongoing programming and interventions, the state established the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) within the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS).
Plagued by scandals, abuse, and overspending since its creation 80 years ago, the state is taking steps in the right direction by transferring responsibility for managing all youthful offenders from the state to local jurisdictions through a process known as realignment.
The Alameda County Probation Department (ACPD) is expanding its juvenile detention programs to align with SB 823 also.
Adapting a model that is restorative and reparative for the men, women and children who commit crimes is not at odds with maintaining a criminal justice system that aspires to fairness – one that upholds and defends the rule of law. Punishment, including incarceration, should act both as a deterrent to crime and restitution for offenses against society. But people should not be released from prison, and enter back into society, without altering the mindset that led them to breaking the
Juvenile detention under the OYCR plan is expected to reduce racial and ethnic disparities, and increase community-based responses and interventions.
Currently, the systems of county probation departments, juvenile courts, local school districts, and child welfare and behavioral health departments all deal with the punishments of juveniles after they commit offenses. In addition to local law enforcement, county probation departments are also responsible for operating juvenile halls, camps, and ranches. At the state level, the DJJ, formerly called California Youth Authority, maintains three secure facilities and a conservation camp for lower-risk offenders.
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