In action yesterday, the Joint Finance Committee approved Governor Walker’s recommendations related to two key issues for juvenile corrections: (1) Approving the daily rates for services provide by the Division of Juvenile Corrections, and (2) Approving the consolidation of three juvenile correctional institutions (JCIs) – closing Ethan Allen for boys and moving girls to the soon-to-be-opened Copper Lake School on the grounds at Lincoln Hills School.

A WCCF Comparative Analysis of the 2011-13 Budget Bill includes information about juvenile corrections as well as other key issues impacting children and families, and you can track the progress of proposals by linking to that summary. WCCF did submit a memo to JFC expressing support for a lower daily rate for JCI placements, since the rate includes $17/day to make up for the deficit that has resulted from decreased placements in recent years.

The Omnibus Corrections motion, passed 12-4 by JFC, also included a provision extending the length of time, from 30 days to 180 days, a juvenile may be placed, as a disposition under ss.938.34(3) in a juvenile detention facility, juvenile portion of a county jail, or a non-secure facility – effectively creating a new dispositional option but with minimal criteria for what kind of programming may be required for those longer placements. Watch for more from WCCF on this particular issue, as this option has the potential for promoting both positive and negative outcomes.                              

by Jim Moeser