Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Juvenile Justice
 
Board
Department (Board) of Juvenile Justice
 
Guidance Document Change: This action updates the Guidelines for Determining the Length of Stay for Juveniles Indeterminately Committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice. The proposed changes seek to more adequately address the treatment needs of indeterminately committed youth, ensure that projected lengths of stay are proportionate to the severity of the underlying offense, lend additional accountability to the process, and, through the use of enhanced vocational and educational requirements, better equip the youth for a successful transition into the community upon release.
Next Comment     Back to List of Comments
12/28/22  11:31 am
Commenter: Lacey R Parker

Opposed to Proposed Revised DJJ Length of Stay Guidelines
 

  I strongly oppose the proposed length of stay guidelines adopted by the Board of Juvenile Justice. I am a youth defender and have been so for the last 17 years. The proposed guidelines were submitted to the Board of Juvenile Justice and adopted without any concomitant impact study. The proposed guidelines contradict current research and evidence-based policies on youth incarceration by dramatically increasing length of stay. The proposed guidelines also fail to account for the costs of such a dramatic increase in DJJ population and the required personnel and facilities. The guidelines that were adopted and implemented in 2015 are effective at achieving the goal of youth court which is, foremost, rehabilitation of youth. An impact study to justify the proposed length of stay increases should be required before they can be adopted.   

 
CommentID: 206809