Pam Lachman recently joined the Spotlight on Youth radio show to talk about the work CJI is doing in Kentucky to assist in the implementation of the juvenile justice reform, enacted into law by Senate Bill 200. SB200, which passed in April 2014, provides for more effective use of resources to hold youth accountable, achieve better outcomes for children and families, and maintain public safety. Among the many reforms, the bill:
- Enhances the pre-court diversion process to provide case management and a multidisciplinary oversight team which is intended to allow low-level youth to avoid court involvement;
- Improves responses to probation violations with the use of graduated sanctions and a prohibition on commitment for probation violations; and
- Limits the length of out-of-home placement and length of supervision based on the seriousness of the offense and risk of reoffending;
CJI is providing technical assistance in the implementation of reforms through the Smart on Juvenile Justice Initiative grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).