Facts on Kids in South Dakota: About the Juvenile Justice System.

This fact sheet highlights the establishment of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), an evidence-based, cost effective approach to treating juvenile offenders. It begins by explaining the development of the juvenile justice system in the United States and then describes the JDAI and its key strategies. Data is shared that indicates when Minnehaha and Pennington counties implemented JDAI there was a decrease in juvenile detention numbers. The disproportionate number of incarcerated youth of color is noted and statistics are reported that indicate minority youths, primarily American Indian, are 23% of the population but 45% of those taken into temporary custody, 48% of those in detention, 52% of those in detention, and 48% of new SD-DOC commitments. The goals of the Statewide JDAI Steering Committee are reviewed. 6 references.