Youth in juvenile probation decreases in Idaho

The numbers of youth in juvenile probation is decreasing here in Idaho.

That success is no accident.

From the courtroom to counseling, passionate professionals help students get back on track.

“I think that’s the best place you can make the best impact long-term in terms in lives and public safety,” said Magistrate Judge Mark Ingram.

He has been specializing in juvenile work since 2007.

“It’s very different than the adult system,” he said. “The goals are different.”

He says the Juvenile’s Corrections Act in Idaho was founded on the idea of three goals.

“Accountability, meaning some kid needs to take responsibility of what they did, community safety which is clear but also competency development.”

Finding ways to help address the issues these kids are facing.

“In ways that make it less likely that they’re going to come back in the system,” he said.

Those who facilitate how the kids are doing? Probation officers.

“We can go to the school and check on their grades and we can talk to them at school and go to their house and check at their house,” said Probation Officer Anna Hawkins.

She says they check on the kids on a month to month basis.

“If there is a low risk to re-offend then we check on them less often,” she said.

However, there are some kids who need to be checked on twice a week.

“We’re trying to help the kids through life instead of like we’re going to lock them up because they made one mistake,” said Hawkins.

And she says seeing the kids who don’t change is difficult.

“When you see the kid that you had on the caseload in the jail for something that’s pretty serious, you’re like oh man just, it kind of crushes you a little because you know they’re a better person than that,” said Hawkins.

However, the department tries every resource they can to better the kids.

“The people that we have around them, their teachers, their probation officers, their mental health therapist, that’s truly where you make the biggest impact. Is being a positive adult in a kid’s life,” said Magistrate Judge Ingram.