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Advances in Juvenile Justice Reform | OK

Oklahoma: 2013 | 2010

juvenile-justice-reform_Oklahoma-state-capitol

Organizational and Large-Scale Change — Oklahoma’s Governor Establishes Committee to Study Juvenile Justice System: Through an executive order, Oklahoma’s governor established the Juvenile Justice Reform Committee to study the state’s juvenile justice system and recommend improvements. The committee is to consider the most efficient and effective programs, recidivism rates, diversion programs, and national best practices concerning housing and treatment of youth. Executive Order 18, signed May 16, 2013.

Probation, Parole, and Reentry — Oklahoma Emphasizes Individualized Treatment for Youth: The Oklahoma State Legislature passed a law emphasizing individualized treatment and best practices for youth rehabilitation and reentry. The law also expands the definition of community-based facilities to cover 24-hour emergency living accommodations for youth in crisis (including those involved with law enforcement or the courts). These accommodations may provide care, education, mental health services, and other services to address trauma and aid in the transition to permanent placement. S.B. 679/Act No. 404, signed into law May 31, 2013; effective November 1, 2013.

Organizational and Large-Scale Change — Oklahoma Reviews Juvenile Justice System: The Oklahoma Legislature created the Oklahoma Juvenile Justice Reform Committee in order to thoroughly and systematically study the efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s juvenile justice system and provide recommendations for revision to the Oklahoma Juvenile Code. Topics covered by the committee include prevention, confidentiality, “youthful offender” certification/reverse certification, and due process. Legislation passed in 2012 extended the committee through the end of December 2012, and pushed the deadline for the committee to submit its recommendations to the legislature from December 1, 2011 to December 1, 2012. H.J.R. 1065, passed April 19, 2010/S.B. 674, signed into law May 18, 2011; effective November 1, 2011.