Missed Opportunities to Place Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Youth in Alternatives to Secure Detention

• In Event: Minimizing Justice Contact for Juvenile Domestic Violence: Policing Decisions, Alternative Placement and Informal Sanctions

Abstract

Prior research has well-established the criminogenic effect of confinement, especially on less serious offenders. As part of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice’s (FDJJ) participation in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), missed opportunities to divert misdemeanor domestic violence youth from secure detention have been monitored closely over the past three years. Using this data, the current study will identify the common causes of missed opportunities to place youth with misdemeanor domestic violence charges who do not score for detention in an alternative placement (i.e., respite care or the care of a responsible adult not involved in the altercation). Suggested avenues for effective responses will be presented based on the most pressing needs of this youth population as well as FDJJ and local provider resource concerns that were identified on these reports.

Authors

• Meg Ogle, Florida State University

• Julie Pla, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice