Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability: 22 Percent of Juvenile Justice Residential Facilities Not Performing Mandated Background Screening

A May 2010 report from the Florida Legislature’s Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (“OPPAGA”) has revealed that, although the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice has improved efforts in hiring, training and retention of employees in juvenile residential facilities, almost a quarter of residential facilities are not performing all of the mandated five-year background checks.

To view the May 2010 OPPAGA report, click here.

The aforementioned improvements followed a 2005 OPPAGA report identifying areas needing progress.  To view the 2005 report, click here.

OPPAGA released the following additional juvenile justice-related report today, June 4, 2010:

Florida Department of Juvenile Justice 2008-09 Comprehensive Accountability Report

This report includes the following statistics:   

• Florida’s population of 10 to 17 year-olds increased four percent between 2004 and 2008.
• As of August 2008, Florida’s population of 10 to 17 year-olds was estimated to be approximately 1.89 million.
• Overall, Florida’s juvenile crime rate is down from 82 delinquency referrals per 1000 juveniles during 2004-2005 to 73 delinquency referrals for every 1,000 juveniles during Fiscal Year 2008-2009.
• Misdemeanor theft was the most common reason for referral to the DJJ.
• During Fiscal Year 2008-2009, there were 20,195 delinquency referrals where the most serious offense was misdemeanor theft.
• Burglary is the felony offense committed most often by juveniles.
• During Fiscal Year 2008-2009, there were 13,500 delinquency referrals in which the most serious offense was burglary.
• Trending areas of improvement are minority over-representation and female juvenile delinquency.

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Frank Mayernick Jr. (fmayernick@cftlaw.com) at Colodny Fass.

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