Sec. 46b-121m. Evaluation of the costs and benefits of programs serving juvenile offenders.
Sec. 46b-121m. Evaluation of the costs and benefits of programs serving juvenile offenders. (a) The Chief Court Administrator shall enter into an agreement with
the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council to evaluate the costs and benefits of
programs serving juvenile offenders, whether offered by private providers or state or
municipal agencies, to determine the cost-effectiveness of such programs in reducing
recidivism.
(b) For the purposes of subsection (a) of this section, there is established an advisory
board to be composed of the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Commissioner
of Correction and the Chief Court Administrator, or their designees, and the chairpersons
and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly on
judiciary and human services.
(c) The evaluation shall identify the types of programs that are effective and not
effective in reducing criminal offending in a cost-beneficial way. The evaluation shall
use uniform data collection and a common methodological approach to compare programs serving juvenile offenders. The evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, a
determination of the extent to which each program:
(1) Targets diverted and adjudicated juvenile offenders;
(2) Includes assessment methods to determine services, programs, and intervention
strategies most likely to change behaviors and norms of juvenile offenders;
(3) Provides maximum structured supervision in the community using natural surveillance and community guardians such as employers, relatives, teachers, clergy and
community mentors to the greatest extent possible;
(4) Promotes good work ethic values and educational skills and competencies necessary for the juvenile offender to function effectively and positively in the community;
(5) Maximizes the efficient delivery of treatment services aimed at reducing risk
factors associated with the commission of juvenile offenses;
(6) Maximizes the reintegration of the juvenile offender into the community upon
release from confinement;
(7) Maximizes the juvenile offender's opportunities to make full restitution to the
victims and amends to the community;
(8) Supports and encourages increased court discretion in imposing community-based intervention strategies;
(9) Is compatible with research that shows which prevention and early intervention
strategies work with juvenile offenders;
(10) Is outcome-based in that it describes what outcomes will be achieved or what
outcomes have already been achieved;
(11) Includes an evaluation component; and
(12) Recognizes the diversity of local needs.
(d) Not later than January 1, 2001, the council shall submit a preliminary report on
its activities to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly on judiciary and
human services.
(P.A. 00-172.)