Arrested youth are screened using the standardized Detention Risk Assessment Instrument to determine if they need to be placed in secure detention. The assessment weighs whether a youth meets the criteria in s. 985.255, Florida Statutes, which specifies reasons why a youth needs to be securely detained. These criteria include current offenses, prior history, legal status, and aggravating or mitigating factors. For example, a court could order detention if a youth is wanted in another jurisdiction for an offense which would be considered a felony if committed by an adult. Youth who are high-risk are retained in secure detention.
Youth who are lower risk according to the risk assessment are placed on supervised release and released to a parent or guardian to remain in the community while awaiting a court hearing.
In Fiscal Year 2019-20, there were 11,004 youth served under secure detention, 6,419 served through supervised release without electronic monitoring, and 3,565 served through supervised release with electronic monitoring.
| Title | Fund | Dollars | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| PROGRAM: JUVENILE DETENTION PROGRAM | |||
| DETENTION CENTERS |
129,268,210
|
1,453.00 |
|
TOTAL |
129,268,210 |
1,453.00 |
Educational Evaluation. The 2021 Legislature passed Chapter 2021-218, Laws of Florida, which, among other provisions, required DJJ, in consultation with the Florida Department of Education, to evaluate the viability of an alternative model for providing and funding educational services for youth in detention and residential facilities. The model must provide for assessments and direct educational services, including, but not limited to special education and career and technical educational services, transition planning, educational program, accountability standards, research-based best practices for educating justice-involved youth, and the recruiting, hiring, and training of teachers.
Contraband. Chapter 2020-59, Laws of Florida, revises the list of prohibited contraband for juvenile detention centers and commitment programs. Statute previously prohibited items such as unauthorized food or clothing, intoxicating beverages, and firearms or weapons. This bill adds restrictions on marijuana, hemp, cellphones, and vaping devices. The bill specifies punishment for the prohibited contraband which ranges from a first degree misdemeanor to a second degree felony.
Decreasing Juvenile Arrests. The number of youth arrests for delinquency has decreased from 40,634 youth arrests in July through March of Fiscal Year 2018-19 to 37,405 in July through March of Fiscal Year 2019-20, an 8% decrease. This continues the trend of declining juvenile arrests, which has decreased by 27% since Fiscal Year 2015-16. The number of arrests excluded the months of April through June of each fiscal year to account for abnormally low arrests during the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Direct File of Children to Adult Court Is Decreasing; Better Data Needed to Assess Sanctions, Report 17-06, March 2017 |