Lawmaker Proposes Changes in DJJ Operations to Aid Juvenile Rehabilitation

Shifting Focus Towards Community-Based Settings for Juvenile Offenders

Lexington, KY — The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in Kentucky has been under scrutiny recently with concerns over the department’s spending being at the forefront.

Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer, who attended the Budget Review Subcommittee for Justice and Judiciary, stated that public criticism against their spending methodology was unjust and she took exception to comments by the governor that implied the DJJ’s funds weren’t allocated correctly.

New DJJ Commissioner Offers Solutions

Newly appointed Commissioner Randy White gave an update on the DJJ’s plans moving forward. He highlighted that the nature of juvenile delinquency has drastically evolved over the past 27 years, stating, “Juveniles that enter in the criminal justice system are a different population than they were 27 years ago. They’re committing harsher crimes which require stronger rehabilitative efforts.”

White outlined various areas the DJJ budget is allocated to, including salary increases and transportation costs. His primary focus, as he stated, will be reducing youth crime, recidivism rates, and enhancing mental health treatments, alongside employee training.

Question of Funding for Acute Mental Health Facilities

Senator Funke Frommeyer queried about the cost of maintaining acute mental health facilities, emphasizing that the real focus should be on community-based settings for rehabilitating juveniles as much as possible.

Addressing this, Rebecca Norton, the Budget Director for the Justice Cabinet, explained that they were working with design experts who specialize in trauma-informed care and high acuity mental health to develop a comprehensive proposal for approaching this issue.

Deadline for Straightening Out Funding

As stated by Senator Funke Frommeyer, the DJJ has until December to revise its numbers in relation to funding. A progress update from the department is slated for September.

“Let’s get these young people that are creating trouble in a place where they can be held accountable, and let’s get them back into productive living, productive life,” said Frommeyer. “No one wants to be dependent all the time on someone else. They want to be self-sufficient, that’s freedom, it’s the American Dream,” she added.

Conversation Continues

As the Department of Juvenile Justice looks to improve its operations and enhance efforts for rehabilitating juvenile offenders, it remains under close public scrutiny. The stakes are high, with the future welfare of countless young individuals and the integrity of Kentucky’s justice system riding on the successful resolution of this issue.