ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, December 14, 1995 TAG: 9512140045
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: ROBERT LITTLE STAFF WRITER
A plan to change the state's juvenile justice system - including more treatment and prevention programs as well as more money for incarceration - will cost at least $30.5 million per year, a legislative commission announced Wednesday.
The Virginia Commission on Youth, asked by the General Assembly to propose an overhaul of the way the state treats young criminals, released its final proposal for the 1996 legislative session Wednesday. Most of the details had been made public already, but Wednesday's meeting offered the first look at the plan's projected cost.
A similar commission sponsored by Gov. George Allen will release its final report next week.
Lawmakers crafting the state's budget for 1997 and 1998 are predicting a cash shortage. But legislators drafting the proposed juvenile justice package say they expect it to be a priority, regardless of the cost.
``The governor, the attorney general, the General Assembly - all say juvenile justice reform is a top priority for the legislature this year," said Del. Jerrauld Jones, D-Norfolk, chairman of the Commission on Youth.
``It seems to me that they'd want to follow through.''
The commission's proposal, which will be offered to the legislature when it convenes Jan. 10, would open most juvenile trials to the public and allow criminals sentenced as juveniles to be imprisoned until age 25.
It also would require more restitution or community service by young offenders, and institute a Parental Responsibility Act making parents criminally liable for failing to supervise their children.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB