(The Center Square) — Caddo Parish Administrator Erica Bryant shared updated juvenile detention numbers in the Caddo Parish Commission work session that showed an increase in probation cases since April.
The current reported juvenile numbers show 14 in detention, two 17-year-olds, six in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 23 at the chief court counselor and 456 probation cases. Bryant shared the numbers during the Caddo Commission administrative report.
This is a slight increase since the last report in April for probation cases.
Previously reported numbers showed a slight rise in juveniles in detention since March, with 16 in detention, two 17-year-olds, one in the Office of Juvenile Justice, 24 with the chief court counselor and 423 probation cases.
Two weeks prior, there were three juveniles in detention, two in the Office of Juvenile Justice, three 17-year-olds, 24 with the chief court counselor, and 423 probation cases.
Commissioner John Paul Young asked about the current population for the Caddo Corrections Center, and Bryant reported 1,499. This means one empty spot is available.
“There is constant communication about how to get some of those folks out of the facility,” Bryant said. “It’s a multitude of reasoning beyond just trying to get them to trial. There are also some who have received their sentencing, so to speak. […] But there’s a process to get them out of there. […] It is our plan that the money can only go so far. There has to be some adjustments to that facility.”
Bryant said 1,500 prisoners and more waiting to enter Caddo’s jail is not sustainable.
The Center Square reached out to Bryant for a statement about any upcoming efforts toward decreasing juvenile crime and detention numbers in the parish.
Despite the fluctuation in numbers, stats are still reporting lower than at the start of the year. On Jan. 6, the parish had 470 probation cases. While that number had dropped to 452 by Feb. 18, there were still a reported 24 in detention.
Caddo Parish officials recently met in Downtown Baton Rouge for Caddo Parish Day at the Capitol, where they discussed various juvenile services policies and the different resources to support the youth of Caddo.
Many services are available to juveniles in Caddo Parish, including probation supervision, juvenile drug court, family preservation court, misdemeanor and truancy referral center, and many others.
