The Department of Children and Families is beginning improvements at its secure juvenile justice programs, including the Connecticut Juvenile Training School, to more effectively identify youth needs to offer more responsive services to meet them, according to a press release.
The changes, part of the ongoing Connecticut movement toward a more therapeutic model of juvenile justice, have been noted in a report completed by an official in the educational and mental health needs of youth in juvenile justice systems.
The report, by Dr. Robert Kinscherff of the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice, said the changes will further advance improvements that already have made Connecticut a national leader in reforms, including a 60-percent reduction in confined youth from 2001 to 2011, according to the release.
Kinscherff notes that despite having “raised the age” of the juvenile justice system since that time, the census at the department’s secure boys program has never been as low as it currently stands.
The census stood at 74 as of July 10. In 2014, the average daily census was 129.
“As notable as having a national expert recognize Connecticut as a leader among the states in our success and applied commitment to reform, Dr. Kinscherff’s report also points us toward additional steps we must take to continue this path,” DCF Commissioner Katz said.
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