Why would a jurisdiction be interested in pursuing JDAI?
Jurisdictions undertake detention reform for many reasons: to save money, to avoid building new beds, to reduce DMC, and because “it’s the right thing to do”. Regardless of starting point, no JDAI site has ever been successful in safely reducing its detention use without coming to embrace the notions that (a) kids do better when they are at home or in the most home-like setting possible, and (b) jj systems should always use the least restrictive alternative needed to ensure appearance in court and minimal risk of re-offending.
