Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Youth Justice Commission (YJC) have released reports showing positive trends in youth justice, including decreased involvement in the justice system and improved public safety.
The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) 2023 Annual Data Report tracks improvements since the initiative was implemented statewide in 2018, while the Recidivism and Outcomes Report: A Three-Year Follow-up of Youth Released in 2019 shows declining recidivism among youth released from YJC custody.
“The decline in the number of youth entering and remaining in the justice system and the continued decline in young people committing crime represent a profound victory for youth and for our state: it has made New Jersey safer and more just,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “The reports released today illustrate that we can reduce youths’ involvement in the justice system while improving public safety, and they underscore why closely examining data is critical to effecting that change. While we continue to steadily improve outcomes for justice-impacted youth in New Jersey, there is still work to be done, and we remain committed to expanding on the YJC’s advancements in youth justice.”
JDAI was developed by the Annie E. Casey Foundation in response to national trends of overcrowding in youth detention centers. New Jersey was selected in 2004 to be among the first states to replicate the initiative, starting with five pilot counties – Atlantic, Camden, Essex, Hudson, and Monmouth. By 2018, the program was operating in all 21 New Jersey counties.
Since statewide implementation, New Jersey has seen an approximately 83% reduction in youth admitted to county detention facilities, a reduction of approximately 90% in court-ordered commitments to YJC custody, and 562 fewer young people in secure detention on any given day in 2023, with youth of color accounting for 89% of this drop.
Youth arrests were down in all counties compared to pre-JDAI levels, with an 88% total reduction. Arrests for more serious “index” offenses decreased by 79%.
“The YJC continues to make strides in transforming youth justice by minimizing reliance on secure confinement, providing programs and opportunities to help young people grow and thrive, investing in community-based programs, and reducing recidivism,” said YJC Executive Director Dr. Jennifer LeBaron. “Our successes have made New Jersey a model for other states. However, we also understand that there is still work to be done, and we are committed to continuing to innovate and lead as we work to help create bright futures for New Jersey’s justice-impacted youth.”
The recidivism report, previously produced by the New Jersey Department of Corrections until March 2024, tracks individuals for three years after leaving custody. It shows steady improvement since 2008. Among youth released in 2019, 77.0% experienced a new court filing or arrest within three years, down from 85.0% in 2008. New adjudications or convictions dropped from 73.3% to 49.8%, and new commitments decreased from 38.7% to 23.4%.
In 2024, the Youth Justice Commission awarded counties more than $20 million for local youth justice programs, including alternatives to detention. Approximately 96% of youth completed their detention alternative placement without new delinquency charges.
The YJC also works with communities to provide diversionary programming such as Restorative and Transformative Justice Hubs. More than 10,000 youth are served in the community each year through YJC funding to County Youth Services Commissions. The commission focuses on ensuring court-placed youth have opportunities to attain high school diplomas, trade certificates, and other forms of higher education, which have been shown to reduce recidivism and improve community safety.
