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Lawmakers hear pleas for more juvenile‑justice and correctional‑health funding as new housing unit opens
Summary
The committee heard JJYS and Correctional Health Services describe staffing crises, program closures under consideration and a $1.5M one‑time request to stabilize health services for a 384‑bed unit (Bear‑3); officials warned cuts to dental staffing and other reductions would increase safety risks and downstream costs.
Officials from Juvenile Justice and Youth Services and Correctional Health Services told the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee that staffing shortfalls, rising youth complexity and a planned prison housing expansion risked service interruption unless the Legislature provides additional funds.
April Grama, director of JJYS, described a staffing crisis — turnover near 40% in FY25 — and presented reduction options that would close regional youth centers, eliminate the ALTA transitional facility and reduce contracted residential options. She warned that closures would…
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