Reducing Youth Incarceration for Status Offenses: Findings from a National Scan of Practice and Case Studies

• In Event: Keeping Kids Out: Strategizing Alternatives to Juvenile Detention

Abstract

Nationwide, jurisdictions have been struggling to address runaway and truancy behaviors in ways that best support young people while keeping them in the least restrictive environments possible and within their communities. Our mixed methods study examines state approaches to the deinstitutionalization of status offenses in two phases. First, we conducted a national scan of state practices using interviews with state representatives and surveys with administrators and youth serving organizations. Second, we selected local jurisdictions showing promising and innovative approaches for case studies and evaluability assessments. Our presentation will highlight results of the national scan and describe case study findings.

Authors

• Breanna Boppre, Urban Institute, Justice and Safety Division

• Lily Robin, Urban Institute, Justice and Safety Division

• Susan Nembhard, Urban Institute, Justice and Safety Division

• Russell Rowe, Urban Institute, Justice and Safety Division

• Sam Bachman, The Urban Institute

• Ammar Khalid, Urban Institute, Justice and Safety Division