Advocates urge investment in diversion programs as alternatives to juvenile detention

Speakers at the Legislative Health & Human Services committee on Tuesday pressed lawmakers to expand community‑based diversion programs and fund prevention work, arguing that those approaches reduce recidivism, meet youth needs and cost less than detention.

Laura Lynn Violanta, co‑executive director of New Mexico CAN, introduced the panel and said community organizations support young people affected by juvenile justice and foster care. Youth leader Reid Brydens described his own experience of arrest at 15 and credited a restorative approach with changing his life. "I spent 7 days in juvenile detention," Brydens said, and later described how restorative outcomes and access to services helped him finish college and begin a public‑service career.

Gerry Pachicha, chief program officer at New Day Youth and Family Services, described the Reception and Assessment Center (RACC) that accepts youth who are not eligible for detention and provides immediate stabilization, family contact and referrals. "What I'm here to talk to you about today is investing in care, not custody," Pachicha said. He told legislators New Day is paid $275 per night for its shelter beds and estimated that the agency's per‑youth cost is roughly half that of detention, which Pachicha cited at "a little over $400 per day" for a Youth Services Center bed.

Court and program officials also pointed to outcome data. Tanya Tijerina, who oversees a Second Judicial District community gun violence intervention program, said 117 youth completed her 16‑week curriculum and the program's recidivism among completers is 18.8 percent. Lindsay Jones, juvenile drug treatment court manager, reported 644 referrals and 259 completions in her docket and described an intent‑to‑treat recidivism figure of about 30 percent.

Speakers called for several legislative steps: expand funding for diversion and wraparound services, ensure JJAC and other state bodies promote data transparency so communities can track detention and diversion trends, and invest in workforce and training to sustain programs. Several presenters warned that regional detention centers are near capacity and said additional short‑term capacity may be needed while long‑term investments in community services proceed.

The committee did not adopt legislation during the hearing. Presenters said they would provide written materials and be available to testify on specific funding proposals during the regular session.