2016 Arkansas Code
Title 9 - Family Law
Subtitle 3 - Minors
Chapter 28 - Placement or Detention
Subchapter 12 - -- Youth Justice Reform Board
§ 9-28-1202. Powers and duties -- Definitions

(a) As used in this section:

(1) "Proven effective alternatives" means interventions, supports, programs, and practices that are recognized as best practices based on rigorous evaluation and research, or are based on a clear and well-articulated theory or conceptual framework for delinquency prevention. These include, without limitation, community-based services that are currently provided or have been provided and have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing secure confinement and institutional placement of youthful offenders;

(2) "Secure confinement" means confinement in a public or private residential facility that includes construction fixtures designed to physically restrict the movements and activities of individuals held in lawful custody and is used for the placement and disposition of a juvenile adjudicated to be delinquent; and

(3) "Serious risk to public safety" means a high risk that a youth will reoffend without intervention as measured by a validated risk assessment.

(b) The Youth Justice Reform Board shall:

(1) Assist the Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Services in determining the method for calculating savings realized from reduced state commitments and in educating the public about the plan developed to reduce reliance on secure confinement; and

(2) (A) Make annual reports to the division, the Governor, and the General Assembly regarding system reform and improvements needed to implement the goals and purposes of this subchapter.

(B) By no later than June 30, 2016, the board shall submit to the division, the Governor, and the General Assembly a plan to reduce over a two-year period the use of secure confinement for youths who do not present a serious risk to public safety.

(C) The plan to reduce secure confinement shall include measurable objectives for developing and maintaining proven effective alternatives to secure confinement in communities statewide, as well as strategies to achieve those objectives throughout all parts of the juvenile justice system.

(c) To provide needed expertise, the board may seek outside technical assistance to aid its work.