Massachusetts Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative 2014 Workplan

On March 12, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services (DYS) expanded the state’s Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) into Hampden County, making it the sixth county to be included in the JDAI since DYS began the initiative in 2006. Counties participating in the Massachusetts JDAI offer a continuum of alternatives to pre-trial detention such as electronic monitoring, foster care, shelter care, or case conferencing. Since launching the JDAI, between 2007 and 2012, the statewide number of youth admissions to detention has dropped by 54%, which has led to a 68% reduction in the number of beds in . . .