This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am writing in response to the Feb. 12 article, "Sweeping reforms proposed for Utah's juvenile justice system." As a member of the Utah Juvenile Justice Working Group and a juvenile defense attorney, I know the reforms contained in HB239 are urgent and necessary.
Some suggest that our system is working just fine. In fact, Utah's approach, though well-intentioned, has produced disappointing results for public safety, taxpayers and families. Too often, low-level youth get caught in the system and needlessly removed from their homes. Nearly half of youth detained prior to adjudication on their first contact with the system are low-risk to reoffend and incarcerated for misdemeanor offenses like truancy and retail theft.
Ultimately, more than half of youth released from state custody are reconvicted of a new offense within two years. Maybe this is good enough for those who oppose change, but Utahns across our state know we can and must do better.
We know what works to reduce recidivism: We should be providing evidence-based services to hold youth accountable in their own communities, not locking them up for minor offenses. The Legislature must enact HB239 now to improve public safety and our kids' futures.
Pamela Vickrey
Salt Lake City