Bannock County accepts FY2025 juvenile probation report showing high diversion rates and fewer petitions

The Bannock County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 4 accepted the County Fiscal Year 2025 juvenile probation report, which officials said reflects substantial use of diversion and early-intervention services that reduced formal filings and probation intakes.

Matt Olsen, director, presented the report and said the county had 197 active diversion cases as of Sept. 30 and placed 312 youths on diversion contracts during FY2025 (125 males and 187 females). "We diverted 68.7% of the cases," Olsen said, noting that was an "incredibly high diversion rate." He told the commission the number of diversion placements fell from 387 in 2024 and 345 in 2023 and is below the county's 18‑year average of 336.

Olsen highlighted the Safety and Assessment Center ("the Village") as a primary driver of earlier intervention. "The Village can now take kids as young as 6," he said, and staff pointed to 31 children aged 10 and younger receiving services this year. Olsen said those early interventions make it possible to serve youths outside of formal court processing and reduce later involvement in higher‑level juvenile justice settings.

Commissioners and staff discussed age patterns and causes. Todd Mogger, chief juvenile probation officer, said younger youths referred to the Village often present developmental or mental‑health needs and that schools are a frequent source of referrals. Olsen added that roughly half of juvenile referrals involve school-related incidents such as truancy, tobacco, petty theft and malicious injury to property, and that stronger partnerships with school districts have enabled more cases to be handled through disciplinary processes and community services instead of petitions.

On probation metrics, Olsen said the supervised probation snapshot showed 295 youths on probation and 142 probation intakes in FY2025 (90 male, 52 female), a decline from 185 intakes in 2024. He reported 176 youths were released from probation in FY2025 and that 91% of those releases were successful.

The report also covered petitions and recidivism. Olsen said 489 petitions were filed in FY2025, down from 714 in 2024. For a cohort released in FY2023 (145 youths), recidivism was 11 at six months, 21 at 12 months (14.5%) and 33 at 24 months (22.8%), a small year‑over‑year increase in the 24‑month measure.

Olsen said 177 youths completed community service totaling 2,929 hours, and he reported $22,720 in restitution paid to victims during the year. Commissioners commended staff and the Village's work; after discussion a commissioner moved to accept the report "as presented," and the board voted in favor.

The commission did not adopt policy changes at the meeting; officials said the report is part of ongoing oversight and collaboration with schools, prosecutors and community providers.