TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new report says the Kansas juvenile justice system functions inadequately due to poor use of mental health and substance evaluations, dependency on long periods of incarceration, inappropriate assignments of youths to detention facilities and other issues. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the evaluation indicates these and other factors contributed to the high rate of criminal relapse in Kansas. The results of the study, conducted by the nonpartisan Council of State Governments, were discussed with House and Senate corrections committee members at a Wednesday hearing. House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee chair John Rubin, a Republican from Shawnee, said the findings could lead to a comprehensive reform bill to be considered in 2016.
