The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking legislative approval to reorganize; this step would increase the autonomy and accountability of the Detention Program.
The effectiveness of home detention has improved. The return rate for youth who committed new crimes declined slightly, and the return rate for youth who failed to appear in court was cut by more than half. However, the program's staffing standard has significant limitations and should be revisited.
Secure detention performance has also improved. Overcrowding, which has been a concern for years, has markedly decreased, although half of the centers remain over-utilized. The rate of escapes has significantly declined, and the rates for youth-on-youth and youth-on-staff assaults also declined. However, outdated staffing patterns and unusually high turnover limit the efficiency of secure detention and create high overtime and training costs.

Progress Report: Juvenile Home Detention Staff Reduced; Critical Secure Facility Posts Not Identified; Transit Changes Beneficial
Report 02-47 September 2002

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.