You asked (1) how many 16- and 17-year olds are in the criminal justice system, in prison, or are being treated as youthful offenders or youths in crisis, (2) how much it costs to incarcerate a 16- or 17-year old, and (3) if the Department of Children and Families provides services to 16- and 17-year old offenders and, if so, under what circumstances.

DEMOGRAPHIC AND COST DATA

In FY 2002-03, 10,242 16- and 17-year olds were presented in the adult court system on criminal charges, excluding motor vehicle violations, according to the February 2004 report of the Juvenile Justice Implementation Team. Approximately 3,940 (38%) of these youths were sentenced to some sort of probation supervision and assigned to a probation officer. Unlike the juvenile court system where a probation officer is assigned when a child enters the system, in adult court offenders are assigned to probation officer only after their case is disposed.

As of August 31, 2003, 82 16-year olds and 195 17-year olds were housed in Department of Correction (DOC) facilities—a total of 277 youths. Of this total, 61 were charged with Class A or B felonies, 172 with Class C or D or unclassified felonies, and 44 with misdemeanors. The total number of incarcerated youth has risen to 314 as of February 10, 2004, according to DOC’s legislative liaison, Scott Semple.

On average, DOC spends $ 72. 90 per day to incarcerate a prisoner, regardless of age, or $ 26,609 a year.

The Judicial Department reports it took in 323 youth in crisis cases between July 1 and November 30, 2003. Earlier data shows that it had 176 cases pending on July 1, 2002, added 597 new cases between that date and January 31, 2003, and disposed of 516 cases, leaving it with 257 cases pending on January 31. We have asked the department for current data on youthful offenders and youth in crisis under its supervision but have had no response to date.

DCF SERVICES TO 16- AND 17-YEAR OLD OFFENDERS

DCF provides services for two types of youths who commit crimes, but otherwise has little responsibility for 16- and 17-year olds. It provides services for youths who were already committed to it as abused or delinquent and those who were participating in its voluntary services program. DCF’s voluntary services program provides help to children and youth who have serious behavior disorders, emotional disturbance, or substance abuse issues. It is open to most 16- and 17-year olds but not those who are arrested after they turn age 16.

Youths who were adjudicated as delinquent when they were 15 or younger and who continue to be on juvenile probation after turning age 16 remain subject to Juvenile Court orders and are returned to that court if the orders are violated. The court retains similar jurisdiction over a youth it committed to DCF as delinquent and then suspended the commitment. In these situations, the court could order the youth into DCF custody, and DCF could place the youth in the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CGS § 46b-121(b)).

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