Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative

Jasper County is proud to be a recognized JDAI Site.

The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) was designed to support the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s vision that all youth involved in the juvenile justice system have opportunities to develop into healthy, productive adults. After more than 15 years of innovation and replication, JDAI is one of the nation’s most effective, influential, and widespread juvenile justice system reform initiatives.

The objectives of JDAI are to:

• Eliminate the inappropriate or unnecessary use of secure detention;

• Minimize re-arrest and failure-to-appear rates pending adjudication;

• Ensure appropriate conditions of confinement in secure facilities;

• Redirect public finances to sustain successful reforms; and

• Reduce racial and ethnic disparities.

Since its inception in 1992, JDAI has repeatedly demonstrated that jurisdictions can safely reduce reliance on secure detention. There are now approximately 100 JDAI sites in 24 states and the District of Columbia.

To learn more about the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative please contact Chief Deputy Rebecca Hutchison at the Jasper County Juvenile Center at 417-625-4300.