The general assembly declares that the placement of children in a detention facility exacts a negative impact on the mental and physical well-being of the child, and such detention may make it more likely that the child will reoffend. Children who are detained are more likely to penetrate deeper into the juvenile justice system than similar children who are not detained, and community-based alternatives to detention should be based on the principle of using the least-restrictive setting possible and returning a child to his or her home, family, or other responsible adult whenever possible consistent with public safety. It is the intent of the general assembly in adopting section 19-2-507.5 and amending sections 19-2-212, 19-2-507, and 19-2-508 to limit the use of detention to only those children who pose a substantial risk of serious harm to others or that are a flight risk from prosecution.
Source: L. 2019: Entire section added, (SB 19-108), ch. 294, p. 2696, § 4, effective July 1.