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Juvenile Justice Reform Panel Offers Ideas To State Officials

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By JOSH POLTILOVE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 6, 2008

TAMPA - A commission designed to help reform the state's juvenile justice system presented a report of recommendations Tuesday to Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and state legislators.

The commission was formed to reduce concerns such as the overrepresentation of minorities and the rising number of girls within the state Department of Juvenile Justice.

The report is called "Getting Smart About Juvenile Justice in Florida."

"Our goal is to lead Florida's juvenile justice system on a new path," commission chairman Frank T. Brogan, a former lieutenant governor, said in a statement. "This report will provide our state with the necessary tools to bring the vision of DJJ and the Blueprint Commission to life and provide our youth with the means to become positive contributors to our society."

The commission includes community leaders, educators, juvenile justice experts and law enforcement and criminal justice officials. It held several public hearings throughout the state, including one in Tampa, giving people a chance to comment on the department.

Commissioners identified 52 recommendations, the release states. The changes, designed in part to reduce juvenile delinquency and improve public safety, will be implemented over several years.

Several organizations supporting juvenile justice reform, including the Children's Campaign and the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, worked with the juvenile justice department to conceive the commission.

Millions of dollars in this year's budget likely will be devoted to gender-specific juvenile justice programs, said blueprint commission member Irene Sullivan, a juvenile justice judge in Clearwater.

Recommendations within the report include:

•The state should invest in community-based programs to keep children from entering the system.

•Florida should provide small residential facilities that offer good skill-building and educational programs.

•It must provide resources to meet children's mental and physical health needs. It also must offer gender-specific programs and address the disproportionate percentage of minorities in the system.

Alternative programs and interventions at a community level would be helpful and prevent children who don't pose public safety or flight risks from entering detention.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at jpoltilove@tampatrib

.com or (813) 259-7691.

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