New Alabama Law Reforms Juvenile Justice System

May 12, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Legislation designed to reform Alabama’s juvenile justice system has been signed into law by Alabama Governor Bob Riley. The new law is designed to reduce the number of children in state custody and redirect them toward community-based programs.

Alabama Governor Riley signs juvenile justice reform bill: Photo courtesy Alabama Governor's office

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“Today Alabama’s juvenile justice system is flooded with low-risk children in expensive institutions. Many of those children have never even committed a crime. As recently as two years ago at least 79 percent of children admitted to the Alabama Department of Youth Services were locked up for non-violent misbehavior,” Governor Riley said. “By freeing up resources to develop community-based alternatives, the state can better serve these children who need assistance. With early intervention, we can stop their decline before they become a threat to public safety. And we can do is in a more cost-effective manner that gets better results.”

The new law prohibits juvenile judges from locking up certain children - those classified as “in need of supervision” - who have committed non-criminal offenses such as truancy, running away and missing curfew. Instead, these low-risk juvenile offenders will participate in community-based programs designed to change their behavior.

Incarcerating juveniles for non-criminal behavior increases the likelihood of more serious criminal behavior in the future. “Children in detention gravitate toward the worst possible role models. That’s why juvenile detention centers have been referred to as ‘highly effective crime schools.’ Often these children return home even more likely to break the law,” said Governor Riley.

Joining Governor Riley at a bill signing ceremony in the State Capitol were several judges who helped push for the legislation, including Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, Jefferson County Family Court Judge Brian Huff, Tuscaloosa County Circuit Judge Philip Lisenby, and retired Morgan County District Court Judge David Breland.

Governor Riley and Justice Cobb began their bipartisan efforts to get the bill passed when they visited the Morgan County System of Services program in January. The program allows juveniles who get into trouble to bypass the Department of Youth Services and instead participate in community-based programs. Both Governor Riley and Justice Cobb praised it as a model program the state should follow.

Source: Alabama Governor