PIERRE, SD (KELO-AM) South Dakota has made significant progress in juvenile justice reform, according to the first annual oversight report.
“While we still have a long path ahead of us, this report indicates the state made great progress in juvenile justice during FY 16,” says Governor Dennis Daugaard.
The oversight council was created as part of juvenile justice reforms in 2015 to monitor progress.
"South Dakota was incarcerating youth at a rate almost twice the national average. We were second in the nation. Today we have retreated from that position. We've had more than 40 percent fewer referrals to the Department of Correction," says Daugaard.
The 2015 reforms aimed at increasing public safety, holding juveniles accountable, and reducing costs, by diverting young offenders from jails into programs more suited to their age group.
