Judicial Branch: $26.5M Shortfall Would Force Cuts to Residential and Reentry Programs; branch requests expansion of credible messengers

Judicial Branch officials told the Appropriations committee that the branch faces a potential shortfall of about $26.5 million in the coming biennium for juvenile and adult community programs and services. The branch warned that such a reduction would force cuts across residential programs, respite services, transitional housing beds and clinical in‑home services.

Gary Roberge, executive director for Court Support Services, described program priorities officials would pursue with additional funds: expansion of the credible messengers mentorship program that currently operates in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury; reintegration mentors and family support specialists at secure juvenile centers; and stable funding for a reprocured girls— limited secure program that returned with higher operating costs.

Roberge said expanding credible messengers to all juvenile court locations would annualize to roughly $3.3 million and would provide six‑month services to hundreds of additional youth (he cited a statewide annual count if expanded). He said the branch also needs higher contract rates for vendor providers to reflect current labor and operating costs.

Branch witnesses said cutting residential and transitional housing capacity would increase pressure on the Department of Correction and on the courts, because judges rely on those community placements to keep people out of detention and to respond to technical violations without incarceration.

Why it matters: The branch argued that community‑based programming plays a central role in reducing jail and prison use and that cuts would increase pretrial and post‑conviction pressure on DOC and the courts. Lawmakers asked for detailed cost‑per‑slot figures and utilization data to inform any funding tradeoffs.