You asked for a follow-up to OLR Report 2007-R-0177 on out-of-state placements and wanted to know more about the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS). Specifically, you asked (1) if boys are housed anywhere else other than CJTS, (2) why the current census is down to 95, and (3) why the school was built for 240 boys when the historical census showed a need for only 120 to 140 boys.

BOYS HOUSED OUT OF STATE

According to the Department of Children and Families (DCF), 42 boys are now being housed out-of-state. Boys are sent out of state only as a last resort. In most cases, they have exhibited sex offender behavior and need treatment, which is provided out-of-state. DCF says the average length of stay for a boy in a sex offender program is 18 months, and the length of stay for boys in other programs is nine to 12 months. Table 1 shows how many boys are housed out-of-state, where they are, and the cost.

Table 1: Boys in DCF's Care Housed Out-of-State, 4/1/07

CJTS CENSUS

Census Estimate Compared to Current Census

According to Leo Arnone, Director of Juvenile Services for DCF, its population forecast done in 2005 estimated that between 70 and 110 beds would be needed in Connecticut for boys committed as delinquent, dependent upon a number of factors, including economic stability in Connecticut, and commitment rate by the Judicial Branch. “That we have been averaging a census of around 100 reflects the good work that the judicial system is doing to divert those kids that do not have to come into the deep end of the system and hopefully that more kids are being supported successfully in less restrictive environments,” states Arnone.

Historical Census compared to CJTS Capacity

Arnone mentioned two factors that affect the capacity of CJTS. First, CJTS's predecessor, Long Lane School, had a capacity of 176. In 1998, that facility's average daily census was 240, according to DCF's report, Long Lane School Today, 1999. Arnone also stated that the original plan for CJTS included housing 50 girls there, but subsequent legislation prevented girls from being housed there. PA 99-26, the act that initially authorized building CJTS, permitted housing girls at the school and also set the daily maximum census at 240.

IRREGULARITIES WITH CJTS CONTRACT PROCESS

PA 99-26 exempted the construction of CJTS from the usual bidding process. The act authorized the Department of Public Works commissioner to select, interview general contractors, and then select one. In August 1999, the Tomasso Brothers construction was awarded the contract in a process that was a factor in the impeachment inquiry of Governor Rowland and his resignation

We have attached a brief timeline of CJTS published in the Hartford Courant. It can be found online at: http: //proquest. umi. com/ pqdweb?did=876434661&sid=1&Fmt=3&clientId=61806&RQT=309&VName=PQD.