Governor Rick Snyder wants more youth put into diversion programs, rather than the juvenile justice system, to improve their chances of success as youths and adults.
The governor called for juvenile justice reforms in his special message on criminal justice on May 18. The major proposals in juvenile justice include:
- Making diversion from the juvenile justice system and into treatment programs the default approach.
- Encouraging counties to consider best practices and evidence-based research to guide decisions on how to place youth.
- Establishing a grant program to support efforts to expand and improve treatment programs and in-home support.
- Developing quality metrics to include in future juvenile justice provider contracts.
You can find more about the governor’s criminal justice proposal at michigan.gov/safermichigan. You can read the special message here.
