Fewer Idaho Juveniles Arrested Than Ten Years Ago

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's juvenile corrections administrators report the state arrested 5,000 fewer juveniles last year than it did 10 years ago. Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections officials told legislative budget writers Monday that prevention efforts and community partnerships are the reasons for the decline. The Spokesman-Review reports that agency officials are seeking a 5 percent budget boost for 2014. But Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is recommending in his 2014 budget a 2 percent increase in state funds.

Otter is also backing the addition of seven new positions at the juvenile center in St. Anthony — half of the new posts sought by the agency. Juvenile Corrections Director Sharon Harrigfeld says efforts to work with counties have led to a strong system that keeps kids in the community and has reduced recidivism.