(The Center Square) – Juvenile detention numbers have had a slight increase now that school has started, with 22 in detention as of Tuesday, according to a report in Louisiana’s Caddo Parish.
Caddo Administrative Officer Erica Bryant updated the Caddo Commission on juvenile detention numbers during this week’s work session. There has been a slight increase since the August report, but not by much. While the number of juveniles in detention is four higher, probation cases are down compared to August.
As of Tuesday, there are 22 juveniles in detention, five with the Office of Juvenile Justice, four 17-year-olds, 20 juveniles at the Caddo Correctional Center and 422 on probation.
The parish is approaching two of the higher months for juvenile crime — September and October.
Caddo Parish Assistant Administrator Clay Walker said previously that the highest months are April, May, September and October.
The last report showed a decrease in probation cases, while detention numbers were up by one. At the beginning of August, the parish reported 18 juveniles in detention, two with the Office of Juvenile Justice, two 17-year-olds, 21 juveniles at the Caddo Correctional Center, and 436 on probation.
Despite a slight increase as the new school year begins, reports from 2023 and 2024 indicate an overall decline in juvenile crime numbers in the parish. In 2023, more than 1,800 juveniles were involved in crime, but by 2024, that number had decreased to 710.
Juvenile crime fluctuates in the parish, with 13 juveniles in detention and 472 on probation, as reported at the Jan. 6 work session.
The parish administrator gives an updated juvenile crime report at each work session.