Image via Justice Policy Initiative

A trio of new publications released today by two non-profit advocacy groups highlight dramatic reductions in juvenile confinement, both in individual states and nationally.

One Justice Policy Institute (JPI) study examines strategies implemented by states to reduce youth confinement in Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Minnesota and Tennessee. A second JPI release takes a closer look at juvenile justice reform in Connecticut.

The five states reduced juvenile confinement by more than half between 2001 and 2010, according to JPI, without experiencing an increase in juvenile crime.

During that time period, Connecticut has become what JPI calls a “national model” for juvenile justice reform, by: reducing confinement, introducing new non-residential services for youth, improving conditions at juvenile detention facilities, diverting offending youth from court and adult justice systems, addressing racial and ethic disparities, and reducing school arrests.

In addition to the JPI publications, the Annie E. Casey Foundation published a data snapshot highlighting a more than 40 percent nationwide decline in the rate of youth incarceration.

“Youth confinement peaked in 1995, at 107,637 in confinement on a single day. Since then the number of youth confined has dropped by nearly 37,000 to 70,792,” researchers wrote.

To read the Justice Policy Institute study of five states, click HERE.

To read the Justice Policy Institute study of Connecticut, click HERE.

To read the Annie E. Casey Foundation data snapshot, click HERE.