Strengthen Juvenile Probation and Increase Accountability
Background Key Findings Solutions
Texas relies on county juvenile probation programs to serve the vast majority of youth who enter the system. Local juvenile probation departments are the “workhorses” of the juvenile justice system, handling 95% of juvenile justice-involved youth. Local coffers also bear the brunt of the responsibility for juvenile probation programs, with counties contributing 44% of the cost for community-based services and treatment.[i] In order to reduce the number of non-violent youth in state custody and ensure that resources in TYC facilities are targeted toward rehabilitating high-risk youth, juvenile probation must be strengthened. In the 2008-09 biennium, TJPC received approximately $57.9 million in new funding to divert youth from TYC (including misdemeanor offenders who are no longer eligible for commitment). [ii] This increased investment in juvenile probation has already demonstrated significant reductions in TYC commitments from the major urban counties, which are the largest contributors to the TYC population. From FY 2006 to 2008, Bexar County commitments decreased by 44%; Dallas County commitments decreased by 39%; Harris County commitments decreased by 50%; Tarrant County commitments decreased by 39%; and in Travis County, commitments decreased by a whopping 83%.[iii] In order to build upon these results and ensure that as many youth as possible are served in proven, community-based programs, Texas must continue to invest in juvenile probation. This additional investment will also continue to produce substantial cost-savings to the state.
[i] Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.,13.
[ii] Texas Sunset Advisory Commission., 78.
[iii] Texas Youth Commission. TYC Commitments FY2006 – 2007.