The Crime and Justice Institute (CJI) has completed a detailed system assessment of the Juvenile Court of Memphis & Shelby County (JCMSC), providing key insights and recommendations to enhance the Court Services Division’s effectiveness. The assessment, requested by JCMSC in October 2023, aimed to understand factors and current practices that are driving the youth justice population, evaluate the impact of those practices, and suggest improvements for the Court’s ongoing mission to support positive outcomes for justice-involved youth and their families.
Dr. Stephanie R. Hill, Chief Administrative Officer for JCMSC, integral to the success of this project, noted, “We are delighted to receive the final system assessment report and implementation guide. Working with you and the CJI team has been truly impactful for the [JCMSC].”
Summary of Key Findings:
- Leadership’s proactive steps are leading the way for meaningful change
- There’s an increase in processing formal complaints and decrease in diversionary responses
- Boys and Black youth are more likely to be formally processed, placed on EM/GPS, and result in longer length of placement stays after detention hearings
- System stakeholders are challenged with identifying adequate programming due to limited internal and external intervention options
- Uptick in crossover youth shows youth are increasingly being pushed from the child welfare system to the youth justice system
- Incidents involving delinquent allegations are not evenly distributed across Shelby County, indicating a need to target resources and preventative efforts in the geographic areas most impacted
Recommendations: The assessment provided 11 detailed recommendations to guide JCMSC in its ongoing efforts to balance accountability with rehabilitation. Key recommendations include:
- Integrating evidence-based approaches that are proven to reduce recidivism
- Increasing opportunities for diversionary responses to youth behavior
- Assessing detention alternatives, disposition responses, and court practices to lessen further system involvement
- Implementing a case management strategy that’s individualized and guided by the youth and family
- Enhancing data management practices to better track outcomes and inform policy changes
“CJI is committed to helping local jurisdictions build a more data-driven, trauma-informed youth justice system. The insights and recommendations from this assessment are invaluable as JCMSC continues to strive for a system that not only holds youth accountable but also provides them with a continuum of supports and opportunities they need to succeed,” said Youth Justice Manager, Jasmine J. Jackson.
Read the full report here.