More Evidence that Alternatives to Juvenile Detention Save Money and Improve Outcomes

The Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability issued the fourth report in as many years that documents the effectiveness of a program to redirect youth from juvenile justice residential facilities.

Over the past four years, the Redirection Program has operated at a lower cost than residential juvenile delinquency programs and has achieved better outcomes. Youth who successfully completed the Redirection Program were significantly less likely to be subsequently arrested for a felony or violent felony, adjudicated or convicted of any offense, or committed to a residential program or sentenced to prison after treatment than similar youth who successfully completed residential commitment. The Redirection Program has achieved $36.4 million in cost savings for the state since it began four years ago due to its lower operating costs compared to residential delinquency programs; the program has also achieved a cost avoidance of $5.2 million in recommitment and prison costs due to reduced recidivism by its graduates.

For policies to reduce juvenile detention.