New IDJC liaison presents juvenile justice snapshot showing falling petitions and high probation success rates

Dustin Bingham, the new district liaison with the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections, presented the department's year-end snapshot to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. He reported 61 youth arrests and 57 detention admissions for the year, with juvenile petitions down to 41 in 2025 from 60 in 2024. "Probation success rate, 91 percent, which is awesome," Bingham said.

Bingham gave further detail on offense types and program metrics: six felonies, 53 misdemeanors and five status offenses; probation intakes in 2025 were 36 with 32 releases; diversion intakes and releases both totaled 32. He reported recidivism at roughly 10% at six months, 17% at 12 months and about 21% at 24 months. On funding, Bingham listed JCA pass-through funds ($68,744), tobacco/cigarette funds ($74,048), substance-use-disorder funding ($848) and community-based services spending ($7,635) that served three to four youth.

Commissioners asked whether juveniles without Medicaid still receive treatment; staff said probation officers assist families to apply for Medicaid first and, if denied, submit applications through IDJC's portal for county or IDJC funding. The presentation prompted questions about intercounty bed use and contracts; staff said the county rarely needs to place youth in Pocatello under the existing contract and that bed demand can fluctuate by season.