Adult probation supervision standards promulgated by the Judicial Department should be modified and expanded by July 1, 2021 to create specific standards associated with probation supervision of young adults (18-24 year olds). These supervision standards should reflect current research and knowledge about age and brain development, especially regarding matters such as impulsivity, risk taking, and appreciating consequences of actions taken. Further, these standards should be guided by evidence-based or emerging best practices regarding the supervision of young adults, including case management approaches, involvement of the family in supervision efforts, responses to violations, the use of appropriate assessment tools, the use of restorative justice principles and practices, and partnerships with providers and the community to meet the needs of this population.

 

The implementation of this policy update should include the following:

-Training regarding brain development,

-Targeted interventions based on brain science,

-The need for development of partnerships with service providers and other community stakeholders to meet the needs of this population,

-Restorative justice,

-Assessment and case planning; case planning that incorporates educational/vocational training and life skills.

-Technical assistance should be provided to probation departments to facilitate the implementation of best practices.

Expand the operational flexibility of the Youthful Offender System (YOS) program in the Department of Corrections; clarify the time credits that are awarded in YOS cases when a revocation occurs; address issues regarding payment of certain fees in YOS cases; and modify training requirements for DOC staff who work with inmates that are placed in YOS facilities.

 

Specifically, modify the following provisions in statute:

1) Delete in 18-1.3-407 (2)(a)(IV)(a.5) the prescriptive programming language;

2) Amend "may" to "shall" in 18-1.3-407 (2)(a)(IV)(b) regarding time credit;

3) Amend 18-1.3-407 (3.3)(c)(I) regarding placement in YOS Phase II;

4) Add "OR DESIGNEE" in 18-1.3-407 (3.5) regarding staff transfers to reflect current practice;

5) Amend 18-1.3-407 (3.5) to allow flexibility regarding staff training requirements;

6) Delete 18-1.3-407 (11) regarding district attorney data collection; and

7) Amend 18-1.3-407 (11.5)(a)(I) and (c) to clarify court cost payments.

 

[See the "Recommendation Text" for the specific Proposed Statutory Revisions.]

Develop a data-driven, cross-disciplinary, comprehensive juvenile services plan addressing the full juvenile justice continuum in each judicial district by undertaking the following:

- In §19-2-211, C.R.S., expand the local Juvenile Services Planning Committee (JSPC) responsibilities to include the development of a data-driven three-year plan, with annual updates, targeting the full juvenile justice continuum in each judicial district;

- In §19-2-212, C.R.S., require the state Working Group  defined therein to identify the specific components of the data-driven plan; and

- In §39-28.8-501, C.R.S., authorize the use of existing marijuana tax revenue distributed to Senate Bill 1991-94 to support data-driven plan development and implementation by judicial districts.