The Little Hoover Commission is reviewing California’s juvenile justice system.  Recently enacted realignment legislation shifts responsibility for nearly all juvenile offenders from the state to the counties.  The Commission has the opportunity to provide input and guidance as the process of the realignment unfolds.

The focus of the Commission’s review will be on the opportunities and challenges for the state and counties in implementing realignment and what will be required to accomplish it effectively.  The Commission will examine the two main elements of the new policy:  the shift in responsibility from the state to the counties for the majority of juvenile offenders and how it will be accomplished; and, the role and remaining responsibilities of the state, specifically the Division of Juvenile Facilities, for the most serious and violent juvenile offenders and some sex offenders.

In this review, the Commission continues the oversight process it began following the 2005 reorganization that merged the California Youth Authority into the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  In January 2005, the Commission reviewed the Governor’s plan to reorganize California’s correctional agencies and create the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  In recommending that the Legislature allow the reorganization to go into effect, the Commission committed itself to monitor the progress of the new department in key areas, one of which was juvenile justice reform.  The Commission has held meetings to monitor the progress during the past two years and will expand its oversight with this review.

If you would like more information regarding this study, please contact the project manager, Carole D'Elia.  To be notified electronically of meetings, events or when the report is complete, please send a request to littlehoover@lhc.ca.gov.

Previous Studies

Governor’s Plan to Reorganize the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency (2005).  In January 2005, the Commission reviewed Governor Schwarzenegger’s plan to reorganize the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency into the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  This reorganization, which the Commission supported, placed a renewed emphasis on rehabilitation for inmates and parolees.

Never Too Early, Never Too Late...To Prevent Youth Crime & Violence (2001).

The Juvenile Crime Challenge: Making Prevention a Priority (1994).
 

Click here for a list of additional previous Commission studies on corrections and public safety issues.