Budget reductions made necessary by the state revenue shortfall eliminated employees that supervised youth on home detention. The Legislature continued funding for electronic monitoring of some home detention youth through a contract with a private provider. To date, judges have not sent more youth to secure detention centers as a result of these changes.
In 2000, we recommended that the Department of Juvenile Justice identify critical post staffing patterns for each secure detention facility to increase effectiveness and reduce high overtime, turnover, and training costs. The department has not implemented this recommendation. Because 159 positions were cut from secure detention facilities, it remains crucial that the department identify its staffing needs and optimize the allocation of staff.
Privatization of detention food services has reduced costs by 10%. Transportation has been streamlined to require fewer trips; as a result, costs have been reduced and staff should be spending more time "on the floor" supervising youth.
The department needs to improve the accuracy of the Juvenile Justice Information System.

Juvenile Detention Program's Performance Improved; Staffing Needs to be Revisited
Report 99-45 April 2000

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.