The Public Safety Committee, co-chaired by Alaska Senator Matt Claman and Oregon Senator David Brock Smith, provides a forum where legislators can exchange information and ideas on relevant policy topics at all levels of government. It represents state government on critical regional and national issues, promotes the importance of public safety concerns, and works toward collaborative solutions to strengthen the West.
Juvenile Justice: Improving Public Safety and Youth Outcomes
Speakers outlined the need for comprehensive approaches to address emerging issues in youth justice systems, including diversion, early intervention strategies, and community-based services. They emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of violence, such as trauma and systemic inequalities, and highlighted the need for Medicaid support. Speakers also stressed the importance of safety planning and reentry programs and advocated for legislation and funding to support effective interventions. Reducing detention rates and improving mental health outcomes were also discussed, focusing on stakeholder coordination and collaboration.
Addressing youth justice system challenges, including diverting low-risk cases and providing mental health support
- Stephanie Ueberall, Deputy Program Director for Corrections and Reentry at the CSG Justice Center, reported a surge in youth victimization and violence, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address both issues.
- States face challenges in retaining staff, providing services, and addressing the mental health needs of young people.
- Research shows that diverting low-moderate-risk youth from the juvenile justice system leads to better outcomes.
- States can establish divergent efforts to keep young people out of the juvenile justice system and promote positive outcomes.
Addressing youth violence and behavioral health in states, including strategies and data
- States are implementing various strategies to address youth mental health, including crisis intervention, mobile crisis services, and school-based frameworks.
- Young people in the juvenile justice system often have non-person offenses, and interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy can promote strong public safety outcomes.
- Data on youth arrests in CSG West states highlight a decline in non-person offenses but higher rates of violence and status offenses.
Reducing juvenile detention and improving mental health services for youth
- Young people in detention are more likely to have mental health issues.
- Mental health concerns amongst high school students are on the rise, and states are beginning to introduce resources to address them:
The juvenile justice system in Oregon emphasizes prevention and early intervention
- Joe Leary, Director of Oregon Youth Authority, discussed advancing cross-system solutions for youth safety and better outcomes.
- He cited Utah, Oklahoma, and Connecticut as states with effective prevention and early intervention services, as evidenced by having “only” 100 kids in their juvenile justice systems.
- He emphasized the importance of treating children as resources, not villains or victims, to improve public safety and outcomes.
- While there has been some progress in increasing diversity and renovating facilities, there are ongoing challenges with complex youth cases.
- He also echoed concerns about the lack of a functioning prevention and intervention system for minors struggling with mental health. Schools are critical partners in addressing mental health issues in young people and are integral to a functioning system.
Criminal justice reform in New Mexico, including detention center closures and reentry initiatives
- Representative Bill Rehm (NM) discussed juvenile detention center closures in New Mexico due to overcrowding and lack of capacity to handle violent crimes.
- Partnerships are developed with community organizations to provide alternatives to detention in Albuquerque.
Investing in early intervention systems for youth justice
- As noted above, early intervention to address mental health issues in young people should be of high priority.
- Justice reinvestment is crucial to divert funds from the juvenile justice system to community-based support, as seen in Florida and Utah’s $40 million and $15 million investments, respectively.
Resource: Improving Outcomes for Youth (IOYouth) from the CSG Justice Center
The CSG Justice Center provides valuable juvenile justice resources. The Improving Outcomes for Youth (IOYouth) program works with state and local jurisdictions to align their policies, practices, and resource allocation with what research shows works to reduce recidivism and improve outcomes for youth while enhancing public safety. You can access many resources here: CSG Improving Youth Outcomes Program Juvenile Justice Equity Dashboard.
Fentanyl Crisis
Co-chairs Claman and Weiler led a discussion regarding the fentanyl crisis across the western region and the need for law enforcement to have the tools to address it. They also highlighted the complexity of the issue and the need to address illegally manufactured fentanyl. In addition, speakers from Oregon and California discussed the opioid crisis and the need for a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, intervention, and accountability They emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction, such as financial crisis and lack of access to treatment. They stressed the need for bipartisan efforts to raise awareness and allocate resources toward prevention and education campaigns.
Addressing drug addiction in Oregon, focusing on prevention and consequences for youth
- State Senator Janeen Sollman (OR) gave some background on House Bill 4002, which passed in 2024. The bill was bipartisan and addressed issues brought about by Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act. Note that the measure passed before the fentanyl crisis.
- HB 4002 examined public use, including deflection programs – getting abusers into treatment versus correctional institutions or jails. It also endeavored to address delivery issues, such as drug dealing.
- Representative Emily McIntire (OR) emphasized the importance of addressing the opioid crisis for the sake of children, citing the devastating consequences of delayed action. She advocates for a multifaceted approach to prevention, including youth implications of possessing vaping products, while avoiding punitive measures that could exacerbate attendance issues in public schools.
Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis in Washington State and its Tribal Communities
- Washington’s fentanyl death rates are also on the rise, and the state found itself woefully unprepared to address the challenge. The House convened a bipartisan group and passed approximately 70 bills to start chipping away at the issue. This includes:
- An investment of $250 million went to (1) community and public safety, (2) education, prevention, and awareness, (3) outreach crisis response and harm reduction, (4) planning infrastructure and workforce, and (5) recovery support services.
- Of the $250 million, $35 million went to the capital expenditures, and the remainder was spent on the operating budget.
- Some funding went to streamlining licensing for Indian health providers to improve accessibility.
- Deaths from fentanyl and opioid overdoses prompted the state to invest in data dashboards and systems to track healthcare outcomes. The tracking data indicated increasing investment in supportive transitional housing for youth exiting the foster care system could improve these outcomes.
Fentanyl settlement and its impact on families and children
- Part of the Johnson & Johnson fentanyl settlement was allocated to family support services and resources to keep families together.
- There was an emphasis on the importance of clearly defining what constitutes an illegal drug, understanding fentanyl, and providing birth populations with the necessary services and resources to address the opioid crisis.
Going Forward
- Share California, Oregon, and Washington’s legislation details with other legislators.
Identify formal feedback processes for the committee to continue sharing challenges and best practices.