July 10, 2006

Senator Gloria Romero
Senate Majority Leader
State Capitol, Room 313
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator Romero:

The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice supports Senate Bill 795: Alternative Placement of Juvenile Parole Violators.

The ongoing crisis of the Division of Juvenile Justice must be addressed. With the costs per ward at the highest level ever, and the population in the DJJ detention facilities at its lowest point, it is imperative that DJJ begin to see the efficacy of rehabilitating youth in local programs specifically created to guide California juveniles toward better life choices.

Based on evidence presented in the declining youth incarceration rates and youth offending rates, CJCJ believes that youth are better served by placement at the local level. SB 795 will ensure that a local facility will be available to accept youth instead of sending offenders back to a failing DJJ facility.

The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice supports Senate Bill 795 and hopes that it will be implemented in the near future.

Thank you for your continued good work in criminal justice.

Respectfully,

Daniel Macallair
Executive Director