Raise the Age

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Mission

To implement raising the age of criminal responsibility from age 16 to 18 in New York State.

Organization and Staffing

The implementation of Raise the Age is an inter-agency effort that involves collaboration across various State agencies and departments, including, but not limited to: the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), the Office of Court Administration (OCA), and the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (JC).

Budget Highlights

The FY 2019 Budget implements principles of social justice and affirms New York’s progressive values by raising the age of criminal responsibility to age 17 on October 1, 2018 and to age 18 on October 1, 2019. Raising the age of criminal responsibility to 18 better aligns current practice with research that shows incarcerating adolescents in adult jails and prisons has significant negative impacts on youth, including higher suicide rates and increased recidivism.

Major budget actions include the following:

• The FY 2019 Budget includes $100 million in appropriation authority to support estimated first year State and local costs for comprehensive programs, including diversion, probation, and other programming services for 16- and 17-year old-youth who will be involved in the juvenile justice system; and a $50 million increase in capital appropriations in OCFS to support the infrastructure and capacity needs of OCFS and DOCCS related to raising the age.

Program Highlights

Implementation of Raise the Age will be phased-in, with the age of criminal responsibility being raised to 17 on October 1, 2018 and to age 18 on October 1, 2019. These reforms are intended to divert youth from placement and give them the best chance at turning their lives around while ensuring public safety.

Note: Most recent estimates as of 01/16/2018