Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Research and Development, Fiscal Year 2002
David A. Gaspar, Director

NEW COMMITMENT PROFILE
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections’ (ADJC)
commitments in 2002 were the most challenging
juvenile delinquents in Arizona. Many were chronic
property offenders and almost one-quarter of them
were violent offenders. Almost all had serious
substance abuse problems, combined with significant
intellectual, educational and emotional issues. The
New Commitment Profile is a review of the juveniles
committed to ADJC throughout Fiscal Year 2002. This
report presents statistical information about the
demographic,
commitment
offenses,
needs
assessments, and other related details for the
juveniles committed to ADJC.

ADJC NEW COMMITMENT JUVENILE PROFILE
As shown in Table 1, the profile of the typical ADJC new
commitment has remained consistent since 1999. The length of
stay given to the ADJC commitments has evidenced an increasing
trend going from 6.9 months in FY 1998 to 7.6 months in FY 2002.
Analysis of data and trends enabled ADJC to develop a meaningful
profile of juveniles committed to its custody. A typical new
commitment to ADJC:
was a 16 year-old Hispanic male from Maricopa County. His most
serious commitment offense was a class 6 felony, and it was most
likely a theft. He was committed to ADJC with a court-ordered
length of stay of 7.6 months and he was determined to be a
moderate risk. His placement according to both ADJC matrix and
court-ordered minimum was in a secure ADJC facility rather than a
community based placement.

This report is a compilation of data from Arizona
juvenile court commitment orders, ADJC’s juvenile
database, YouthBase, as well as other files maintained
by Research and Development (R & D).
HIGHLIGHTS:

Table 1

There were 823 juveniles committed to ADJC in FY
2002, a decrease of 8.5% from the 893 juveniles
committed in FY 2001.

Gender
Age
Ethnicity
County
Offense
Class Level
Court Order
Length of Stay
Risk Level
Placement

Juvenile court judges committed 752 juveniles (91.4%
of the 823 new commitments) in FY 2002 with a courtordered minimum length of stay for placement in a
secure facility
Monthly new commitments went from a low of 51 in
December 2001 to a high of 95 in April of (See Graph
1 below)

FY 1999

FY 2000

FY 2001

FY 2002

Male
16
Hispanic
Maricopa
Theft
Misd.
Yes
6.9 mos.
Moderate
Secure Care

Male
17
Hispanic
Maricopa
Theft
Misd.
Yes
7.4 mos.
Moderate
Secure Care

Male
17
Hispanic
Maricopa
Theft
Misd.
Yes
7.0 mos.
Moderate
Secure Care

Male
16
Hispanic
Maricopa
Theft
Class 6 Fel.
Yes
7.6 mos.
Moderate
Secure Care

Almost half (43.6%) of the new commitments were
committed on property offenses, decreasing from
48.9% in FY 2001. Theft, including Theft of Vehicle,
represented the highest percentage of property
offenses with 12.3%, decreasing from 15.5% in FY
2001.

F i g u r e 1: M o n t h ly A D J C Ne w C o mmi t me n t s
F i sc a l Ye a r 2002
95

1 00
84

90
80

80
74

86

70
67

69

67

76

70
68
60

64

56
53

60

63

60
53

55

47

46

40

57

51

50

73

30
Jul- 0 1

A ug- 0 1

S ep- 0 1

Oct - 0 1

Nov- 0 1

Dec- 0 1

Jan - 0 2

Total New Commits w/Court- Ordered LOS

The length of stay given to the youth increased from
an average of 7.0 months in FY 2001 to 7.6 months in
FY 2002.

Feb- 0 2

M ar- 0 2

A pr- 0 2

M ay- 0 2

Jun - 0 2

Total Monthly New Commits

The most common age of a juveniles’ first court
referral was thirteen, while the most common age for a
juvenile when committed to ADJC was 16 years-old.
Fully 41.6% of the juveniles had between 6 and 10
prior court referrals while one third (30.5%) had only
one felony petition.

CASE STUDY
Jeffrey (not his real name) was committed to ADJC in
February 2002; he was a sixteen year old male from
Maricopa County. He was committed to ADJC for
running away from his placement, thereby violating his
probation. He was originally placed on probation for
Criminal Damage in 1996, and he was continued on
probation in 1997 on two molestation charges. He had
five court referrals and his risk score was 2, or a
moderate risk.
Jeffrey’s early home life was very difficult. He was
homeless with his mother through much of his early
years and he had no relationship with his natural father.
He has had numerous step-fathers, but did not have a
positive relationship with any of them. His siblings were
all living in separate places and his mother was living in
Section 8 housing. He was sexually abused by a family
member, who was serving a prison term for the offense.
Jeffrey has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and
there are extensive mental health issues in his family.
His maternal grandmother was diagnosed with bipolar
disorder and three of his uncles were diagnosed with
various forms of mental illness, they were also drug
abusing and involved in the criminal justice system.
Jeffrey had a long history of unsuccessful treatment
attempts, dysfunctional family issues, abuse issues,
and mental health disorder. In the five years prior to
ADJC commitment he received therapeutic intervention
from Arizona Children’s Home, Youth Development
Institute, Sex Offender Program, and Sex Offender
Program Group Home. He was also referred to three
additional residential treatment centers and was denied
acceptance into those facilities.
His ADJC caseworker made the following observations:
“So far Jeffrey has done well at ADJC, he has earned
his junior level, he is an adjudicated sex offender that
spent 3-4 years at YDI for sexual issues. He is
currently working on these issues with our Mental
Health Treatment Coordinator in a group setting. He
will continue these groups up until he leaves. He will
also be attending anger management and substance
abuse groups with our Psychology Associate here in
the unit within the next month. He still has some
progress to make; he often will attempt to manipulate
staff by saying that another person gave him
permission to do a certain thing, when that person
actually did not give permission. But all and all he is
making some good progress with his programming; he
is a bright youth who is enjoying learning computers in
our education department.”
Jeffrey’s case was presented to give the reader a better
understanding of the highly troubled juveniles
committed to ADJC in 2002. ADJC has programs
designed to work with juveniles that have the same
type of backround as Jeffrey.

DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Hispanic juveniles accounted for 45.8% of the new
commitments in FY 2002. Caucasian juveniles, with 34.5%
accounted for the second largest racial/ethnic category,
followed by African American juveniles (10.4%), Native
American juveniles (5.3%), Mexican National juveniles (3.6%),
and juveniles from other racial/ethnic categories (0.2%).
The vast majority of new commitments during FY 2002 (88.3%)
were male, while 11.7% of the juveniles were female.
Over one-half (61.6%) of the new commitments were 16 or 17
years old at the time of commitment. A large percentage
(23.9%) were 15 years old, followed by 14 year olds (12.3%),
13 year olds (1.9%), and 12 year olds (0.2%)
Half (50.5%) of the new commitments were determined to be
moderate risk, while juveniles determined to be a high risk
represented 35.6%, and juveniles determined to be a low risk
represented 13.9% of the total.
The percentage of new commitments from Maricopa County
decreased from 44.2% in FY 2001 to 38.2% in FY 2002, while
juveniles committed from Pima County increased from 24.5% to
29.3%.
Table 2
FY 1999

FY 2000

FY 2001

FY 2002

381 (37.9%)
103 (10.2%)
52 (5.2%)
421 (41.9%)
7 (0.7%)
4 (0.4%)
37 (3.7%)

369 (37.4%)
90 (9.1%)
62 (6.3%)
433 (43.9%)
6 (0.6%)
1 (0.1%)
26 (2.6%)

347 (38.9%)
82 (9.2%)
40 (4.5%)
380 (42.6%)
2 (0.2%)
2 (0.2%)
40 (4.5%)

284 (34.5%)
86 (10.4%)
44 (5.3%)
377 (45.8%)
2 (0.2%)
30 (3.6%)

137 (13.6%)
868 (86.4%)

140 (14.2%)
847 (85.8%)

103 (11.5%)
790 (88.5%)

96 (11.7%)
727 (88.3%)

9
58
121
231
290
293

13
52
123
240
279
280

3
46
104
193
257
290

2
16
101
197
261
246

RACE
Caucasian
African American
Native American
Hispanic
Asian
Other
Mexican National
GENDER
Female
Male
AGE
12 and younger
13 years old
14 years old
15 years old
16 years old
17 years old
RISK LEVEL
Low
Moderate
High
COUNY
Maricopa
Pinal
Pima
Greenlee
Graham
Yuma
La Paz
Mohave
Yavapai
Navajo
Apache
Gila
Coconino
Santa Cruz
Cochise l

190 (18.9%)
508 (50.5%)
307 (30.5%)

213 (21.6%)
489 (49.5%)
285 (28.9%)

144 (16.1%)
465 (52.1%)
284 (31.8%)

114 (13.9%)
416 (50.5%)
293 (35.6%)

448 (44.5%)
50 (5.0%)
283 (28.2%)
0
15 (1.5%)
53 (5.3%)
2 (0.2%)
39 (3.9%)
24 (2.4%)
12 (1.2%)
3 (0.3%)
26 (2.6%)
12 (1.2%)
10 (1.0%)
28 (2.8%)

412 (41.7%)
74 (7.5%)
271 (27.5%)
0
6 (0.6%)
48 (4.9%)
3 (0.3%)
41 (4.2%)
24 (2.4%)
19 (1.9%)
12 (1.2%)
13 (1.3%)
10 (1.0%)
15 (1.5%)
39 (4.0%)

395 (44.2%)
72 (8.0%)
219 (24.5%)
0
7 (0.8%)
48 (5.4%)
2 (0.2%)
40 (4.5%)
33 (3.7%)
14 (1.6%)
3 (0.3%)
11 (1.2%)
15 (1.7%)
12 (1.3%)
22 (2.5%)

314 (38.2%)
53 (6.4%)
241 (29.3%)
1 (0.1%)
10 (1.2%)
52 (6.3%)
1 (0.1%)
29 (3.5%)
36 (4.4%)
19 (2.3%)
3 (0.4%)
11 (1.3%)
17 (2.1%)
10 (1.2%)
26 (3.2%)

TOTAL

1005 (100%)

987 (100%)

893 (100%)

823 (100%)

(0.9%)
(5.8%)
(12.0%)
(23.0%)
(28.8%)
(29.5%)

(1.3%)
(5.3%)
(12.5%)
(24.3%)
(28.3%)
(28.4%)

(0.3%)
(5.2%)
(11.6%)
(21.6%)
(28.8%)
(32.5%)

(0.2%)
(1.9%)
(12.3%)
(23.9%)
(31.7%)
(29.9%)

COMMITMENT PROFILES FOR SB1446 OFFENDER SUBGROUPS

Concerned about violent
Table 3: SB 1446 OFFENDER SUBGROUPS INCLUDING ALL FELONIES
juvenile
offenders,
Arizona voters passed
FY 1999
FY 2000
FY 2001
FY 2002
Proposition 102 in 1996. 1. Age 15+ Specified Violent
1 (0.1%)
0
0
0
Senate Bill (SB) 1446 was Felonies (Mandatory Exclusion)
24 (2.4%)
15 (1.5%)
23 (2.6%)
28 (3.4%)
passed by the Arizona 2. Age 15+ Legislatively Defined
Legislature, signed by the Violent Felonies (Mandatory
Governor and it became Exclusion)
32 (3.2%)
168 (17.0%)
124 (13.9%)
124 (15.1%)
Arizona law in 1997. 3. Age 15+ Chronic Felons
These
two
related (Mandatory Exclusion)
4. Felons with Prior Transfers
6 (0.6%)
2 (0.2%)
1 (0.1%)
0
initiatives required violent (Mandatory Exclusion)
and
chronic
juvenile 5. Age 14+ Accused of Selected
138 (13.7%)
33 (3.3%)
93 (10.4%)
91 (11.1%)
offenders over 15 years Offenses (Discretionary)
old to be direct-filed into 6. Age 14, Chronic
3 (0.3%)
27 (2.7%)
13 (1.5%)
9 (1.1%)
an adult court, thereby (Discretionary)
making them ineligible for 7. First Time Felons
276 (27.5%)
198 (20.1%)
166 (18.6%)
179 (21.7%)
commitment to the ADJC.
139 (13.8%)
199 (20.2%)
155 (17.4%)
149 (18.1%)
The analysis on this page 8. Second Time Felons (>14
is
related
to
the years old)
321 (31.9%)
304 (30.8%)
273 (30.6%)
227 (27.6%)
categories contained in 9. Misdemeanants
SB 1446. The numbers
18 (1.8%)
5 (0.6%)
5 (0.6%)
are unduplicated counts 10. Under Age 14 Chronic Felons 3 (0.3%)
and
are
organized 11. Under Age 14 Second Time
20 (2.0%)
16 (1.6%)
16 (1.8%)
3 (0.4%)
hierarchically
with Felons
juveniles placed in the 12. Under age 15 Violent
5 (0.5%)
3 (0.3%)
5 (0.6%)
5 (0.6%)
highest group for which Felonies
they qualify. Thus, a 13. Violation of Probation
37 (3.7%)
4 (0.4%)
19 (2.1%)
3 (0.4%)
juvenile committed for a
1005
987
893
823
violent felony (category TOTAL
#2) would be placed in
Pre and Post SB1446 Offender Subgroups
that category (#7) and would not appear
With Probation Violators Identified
in the first time felon category even if s/he
FY 2002 Cohort
also qualifies for it.
In FY 2002 the vast majority (67.4%) of
commitments were composed of three
offender subgroups: First Time Felons,
Second Time Felons, and Misdemeanants.
First Time Felons increased from 18.6%
in FY 2001 to 21.7% in FY 2002. Second
Time Felons also increased from 17.4% in
FY 2001 to 18.1% in FY 2002.
Misdemeanants remained consistent
throughout Fiscal Years 2000 (30.8%)
and 2001 (30.6%).
As shown in Table 3, fully 18.5%
(categories 2 and 3) of the ADJC
commitments in 2002 were committed for
offenses originally designated for direct
file into adult court. In fact, Chronic Felons
age 15+ increased from 13.9% in FY
2001 to 15.1% in FY 2002, while juveniles
Age 14+ Accused of Selected Offenses
(Discretionary) increased from 10.4% in
FY 2001 to 11.1% in FY 2002.

Total

VOP

%

0

0

0

28

15

53.6%

124

36

29.0%

0

0

0

91

43

47.3%

9

1

11.1%

7. First Time Felons

179

117

65.4%

8. Second Time Felons (>14 years old)

149

59

39.6%

9. Misdemeanants

227

79

34.8%

10. Under Age 14 Chronic Felons

5

1

20.0%

11. Under Age 14 Second Time Felons

3

1

33.3%

12. Under age 15 Violent Felonies

5

0

0

13. Violation of Probation

3

3

100%

823

353

42.9%

1. Age 15+ Specified Violent Felonies
(Mandatory Exclusion)
2. Age 15+ Legislatively Defines Felonies
(Mandatory Exclusion)
3. Age 15+ Chronic Felons (Mandatory
Exclusion)
4. Felons with Prior Transfers (Mandatory
Exclusion)
5. Age 14+ Accused of Selected Offenses
(Discretionary)
6. Age 14, Chronic (Discretionary)

Of the two most serious offender
TOTAL
subgroups, Age 15+ Legislatively Defines
Felonies and Age 15+ Chronic Felons,
30.3% were admitted for a class 6 felony or a misdemeanor..

A D JC N ew C o mmit ment s b y O f f ense S ub g ro up
F Y 2002
A ll Other
Offenses
4.6%

W eapons
Offenses
3.4%

Crimes
A gainst
Persons
20.8%

OFFENSE SUBGROUPS
Almost half (43.6%) of the new
commitments were committed on
property offenses, decreasing from
48.9% in FY 2001. Theft, including
Theft of Vehicle, represented the
highest percentage of property
offenses with 12.3%, decreasing
from 15.5% in FY 2001.

Drug Offenses
17.7%

Public Order
9.8%

Property
Offenses
43.6%

Table 4
Offense
Group Total
Crimes Against Persons:
Homicide
Kidnapping
Sexual Assault
Robbery
Aggravated Assault
Assault
Sub Total
Property Offenses:
Burglary 1st Degree
Burglary 2nd Degree
Burglary 3rd Degree
Shoplifting
Theft <$250
Theft $251-$2,999
Theft $3,000-$24,999
Theft of Vehicle
UUMT/Joyriding
Criminal Damage
Forgery/Fraud
Trafficking Stolen Property
Trespassing
Sub Total
Public Order:
Disorderly Conduct
Escape
Resisting Arrest
Contempt of Court
False Reporting to Law Enforcement
Unlawful Felony Flight
Interference Judicial Proceedings
Other Public Order Offenses
Sub-Total
Drug Offenses:
Dangerous Drug Possession/Sell/Use
Drug Paraphernalia Possession
Marijuana Possession
Inhale/Possession Toxic Vapor
Drugs On/Near School Grounds
Marijuana Sale/Trafficking
Narcotic Drugs Possession/Sell/Use
Prescription Drugs Possession/Sell
Miscellaneous Drug Offenses
Sub-Total
Weapons Offenses
All Other Offenses
Alcohol Offenses
Domestic Violence
Tobacco Possession
Other Misc. Offenses
Sub Total

FY 1999
1005
-

FY 2000
987
-

FY 2001
893

FY 2002
823

35 (3.5%)
22 (2.2%)
51 (5.1%)
74 (7.4%)
182 (18.1%)

1
46
16
59
68
190

(0.1%)
(4.7%)
(1.6%)
(6.0%)
(6.9%)
(19.3%)

1 (0.1%)
1 (0.1%)
35 (3.9%)
10 (1.1%)
58 (6.5%)
54 (6.0%)
159 (17.8%)

1 (0.1%)
2 (0.3%)
41 (5.0%)
17 (2.1%)
84 (10.1%)
26 (3.2%)
171 (20.8%)

7 (0.7%)
76 (7.6%)
69 (6.9%)
48 (4.8%)
22 (2.2%)
59 (5.9%)
50 (5.0%)
9 (0.9%)
48 (4.8%)
65 (6.5%)
14 (1.4%)
2 (0.2%)
20 (2.0%)
489 (48.6%)

8
49
57
41
28
39
59
36
67
51
10
4
22
471

(0.8%)
(5.0%)
(5.8%)
(4.2%)
(2.8%)
(4.0%)
(6.0%)
(3.6%)
(6.8%)
(5.2%)
(1.0%)
(0.4%)
(2.2%)
(47.8%)

2 (0.2%)
56 (6.3%)
56 (6.3%)
34 (3.8%)
24 (2.7%)
46 (5.2%)
10 (1.1%)
58 (6.5%)
67 (7.5%)
47 (5.3%)
11 (1.2%)
3 (0.3%)
23 (2.6%)
437 (48.9%)

4 (0.5%)
34 (4.1%)
55 (6.7%)
24 (2.9%)
12 (1.5%)
33 (4.0%)
6 (0.7%)
50 (6.1%)
65 (7.8%)
48 (5.8%)
8 (1.0%)
2 (0.3%)
18 (2.2%)
359 (43.6%)

36
23
18
4
24
4
3
4
116

(3.6%)
(2.3%)
(1.8%)
(0.4%)
(2.4%)
(0.4%)
(0.3%)
(0.4%)
(11.6%)

43
22
13

(4.4%)
(2.2%)
(1.3%)

31 (3.5%)
16 (1.8%)
8 (0.9%)
21 (2.4%)
7 (0.8%)
4 (0.4%)
87 (9.7%)

22 (2.6%)
17 (2.1%)
10 (1.2%)
17 (2.1%)
7 (0.9%)
3 (0.4%)
5 (0.6%)
81 (9.8%)

15
36
81
12
6
3
16
1

(1.5%)
(3.6%)
(8.1%)
(1.2%)
(0.6%)
(0.3%)
(1.6%)
(0.1%)

11 (1.2%)
29 (3.2%)
73 (8.2%)
7 (0.8%)
3 (0.3%)
9 (1.0%)
16 (1.8%)
2 (0.2%)
150 (16.8%)
22 (2.5%)

10 (1.2%)
31 (3.8%)
72 (8.7%)
7 (0.9%)
5 (0.6%)
4 (0.5%)
15 (1.8%)
1 (0.1%)
1 (0.1%)
146 (17.7%)
28 (3.4%)

23 (2.6%)
15 (1.8%)
38 (4.3%)

28 (3.4%)
10 (1.2%)
38 (4.6%)

170 (17.0%)
20 (2.0%)
17
5
2
4
28

(1.7%)
(0.5%)
(0.2%)
(0.4%)
(2.8%)

18
4
3
2
105

(1.8%)
(0.4%)
(0.3%)
(0.2%)
(10.6%)

7
38
76
7
10
5
17

(0.7%)
(3.9%)
(7.7%)
(0.7%)
(1.0%)
(0.5%)
(1.7%)

160 (16.2%)
30 (3.0%)
18
1

(1.8%)
(0.1%)

12 (1.2%)
31 (3.1%)

Crimes Against Persons (CAP)
represented 20.8% of the new
commitments,
increasing
from
17.8% in FY 2001.
Aggravated
Assault represented almost half
(49.1%) of the CAP category, while
juveniles committed on a sexual
offense represented 24.0% of the
CAP category, increasing from
22.0% from FY 2001.
Juveniles committed on Aggravated
Assault charges have increased
from 6.5% in FY 2001 to 10.1% in
FY 2002, while juveniles committed
on all other Assault offenses have
decreased from 6.0% in FY 2001 to
3.2% in FY 2002.
Juveniles committed to ADJC on a
drug offense represented 17.7% of
the total commitments, increasing
from 16.8% in FY 2001. Almost half
(49.3%) of the drug offenses were
Marijuana Possession.
Public Order offenses represented
9.8% of the new commitments.
Public Order offenses include
disorderly conduct, escape, resisting
arrest, hindering prosecution, and
false reporting.
Alcohol offenses have been steadily
increasing since FY 1999, from 1.7%
to 3.4% in FY 2002.

Table 5: DELINQUENCY

DELINQUENCY DATA
Thirteen (21.1%) was the most common
age of first juvenile referral, over onehalf of the new commitments (51.2%)
were 12 or younger at their first referral.
The juveniles aged 15 years or older at
the time of their first court referral have
decreased since 1999, from 16.6% in
FY 1999 to 12.5% in FY 2002.
Almost half (47.4%) had 11 or more
prior court referrals at the time of
commitment to ADJC, while a little over
10% had less than 5 referrals.
Most juveniles (58.9%) had at least two
petitions for felony offenses before
being committed to ADJC. Only 5.4% of
ADJC commitments had five or more
prior felony petitions.

AGE AT FIRST REFERRAL
7 years and younger
8 to 10 years old
11 years old
12 years old
13 years old
14 years old
15 or older
NUMBER OF REFERRALS
1 referral
2 referrals
3 to 5 referrals
6 to 10 referrals
11 to 15 referrals
16 & more
PETITIONS FOR FELONY
OFFENSES
0 petitions
1 petition
2 petitions
3 petitions
4 petitions
5 & more petitions
NUMBER OF ADJUDICATION
1 adjudication
2-3 adjudications
4-5 adjudications
6-7 adjudications
8 & more

Juveniles with four or more prior
adjudications represented 77.0% of all
juveniles committed to ADJC, while only
2.9% had one adjudication or less before their
commitment.

FY 1999

FY 2000

FY 2001

FY 2002

6
148
102
186
218
178
167

(0.6%)
(14.7%)
(10.1%)
(18.5%)
(21.7%)
(17.7%)
(16.6%)

1 (0.1%)
160 (16.2%)
127 (12.9%)
173 (17.5%)
215 (21.8%)
146 (14.8%)
165 (16.7%)

1
161
116
159
188
138
130

(0.1%)
(18.0%)
(13.0%)
(17.8%)
(21.1%)
(15.5%)
(14.5%)

7
150
115
150
174
124
103

(0.8%)
(18.2%)
(14.0%)
(18.2%)
(21.1%)
(15.1%)
(12.5%)

26
16
124
381
282
176

(2.6%)
(1.6%)
(12.3%)
(37.9%)
(28.1%)
(17.5%)

18
17
124
412
267
149

(1.8%)
(1.7%)
(12.6%)
(41.7%)
(27.1%)
(15.1%)

18
20
89
348
255
163

(2.0%)
(2.2%)
(10.0%
(39.0%)
(28.6%)
(18.3%)

5
8
78
342
212
178

(0.6%)
(1.0%)
(9.5%)
(41.6%)
(25.8%)
(21.6%)

83
273
280
205
85
79

(8.3%)
(27.2%)
(27.9%)
(20.4%)
(8.5%)
(7.9%)

106
293
271
185
83
49

(10.7%)
(29.7%)
(27.5%)
(18.7%)
(8.4%)
(5.0%)

101
252
251
189
60
40

(11.3%)
(28.2%)
(28.1%)
(21.2%)
(6.7%)
(4.5%)

84
251
234
154
56
44

(10.2%)
(30.5%)
(28.4%)
(18.7%)
(6.8%)
(5.4%)

65
236
356
207
141

(6.5%)
(23.5%)
(35.4%)
(20.6%)
(14.0%)

53
266
357
191
120

(5.4%)
(27.0%)
(36.2%)
(19.4%)
(12.2%)

47
180
316
213
137

(5.3%)
(20.2%)
(35.4%)
(23.9%)
(15.3%)

24
165
262
255
117

(2.9%)
(20.1%)
(31.8%)
(31.0%)
(14.2%)

CRIMINOGENIC NEEDS

Many juveniles committed to ADJC have
serious substance abuse, school
behavior, emotional, and other needs.
These needs affect the juveniles’ ability
to be law abiding and respond
appropriately
to
ADJC
treatment
programs.
Almost all of the juveniles in FY 2002
had Substance Abuse (97.6%), Peer
Relationship (97.6%), and Violent
Behavior (95.1%) needs.
A few gender-based differences were
found in the needs of the juveniles
including Sexual Behavior needs:
females (26.0%), males (16.8%), Family
Substance Abuse: females (74.0%),
males (56.1%), and Emotional Stability:
females (95.8%), males, (71.2%).
Males had more needs than females in
Education/ Employment: males (66.9%),
females
(42.7%)
and
Intellectual/Educational Deficits: males
(96.3%), females (78.1%).

Table 6: CRIMINOGENIC
NEEDS

Male

Female

Total

726

96

822*

Treatment Service Factors
Substance Abuse
Sexual Behavior
Violent Behavior
Emotional Stability
Theft Behavior

706 (97.2%)
122 (16.8%)
695 (95.7%)
517 (71.2%)
637 (87.7%)

96 (100%)
25 (26.0%)
87 (90.6%)
92 (95.8%)
88 (91.7%)

802 (97.6%)
147 (17.9%)
782 (95.1%)
609 (74.1%)
725 (88.2%)

Education/Social Skills Factors
Life Skills
Youth’s Parenting Skills
Education/Employment
Living Situation/Finances
Intellectual/Educational Deficits
Peer Relationships
School Behavior/Adjustment

592 (81.5%)
67 (9.2%)
486 (66.9%)
202 (27.8%)
699 (96.3%)
714 (98.3%)
702 (96.7%)

84 (87.5%)
8 (8.3%)
41 (42.7%)
35 (36.5%)
75 (78.1%)
88 (91.7%)
93 (96.9%)

676 (82.2%)
75 (9.1%)
527 (64.1%)
237 (28.8%)
774 (94.2%)
802 (97.6%)
795 (96.7%)

Medical & Mental Health Factors
Health/Hygiene
History of Abuse/Neglect as Victim
Intra-Familial Sexual Abuse

297 (40.9%)
236 (32.5%)
67 (9.2%)

33 (34.4%)
71 (74.0%)
24 (25.0%)

330 (40.1%)
307 (37.3%)
91 (11.1%)

Family Environment Factors
Conflict in Home
Parenting Skills
Substance Abuse/Family
Family Criminality
Disabilities of Caregivers

482 (66.4%)
533 (73.4%)
407 (56.1%)
456 (62.8%)
50 (6.9%)

83 (86.5%)
76 (79.2%)
71 (74.0%)
62 (64.6%)
15 (15.6%)

565 (68.7%)
609 (74.1%)
478 (58.2%)
518 (63.0%)
65 (7.9%)

DISTRIBUTION BY FELONY CLASS: AND LENGTH OF
STAY
The length of stay given to a youth increased slightly from an
average of 7.0 months in FY 2001 to 7.6 months in FY 2002.
The average length of stay for FY 2002 was higher than the
matrix guideline length of stay:
Actual Length of
Stay Given
11.1 months
8.6 months
7.8 months
7.4 months
7.1 months
6.8 months

Class Level
Felony Class 2
Felony Class 3
Felony Class 4
Felony Class 5
Felony Class 6
Misdemeanors

ADJC Matrix
Guidelines
12 months
9 months
7 months
7 months
6 months
6 months

The majority (59.6%) of new commitments were committed on
the least serious offenses, which are classified under Arizona
law as class 6 felonies or misdemeanors. Some of the more
common Class 6 felony offenses include petty theft and UUMT
(Unlawful Use of Means of Transportation) common
misdemeanor offenses include shoplifting, disorderly conduct
and marijuana possession.

Juvenile court judges committed 752 juveniles (91.4% of
the 823 new commitments) in FY 2002 with a courtordered minimum length of stay for placement in a
secure facility, increasing from 88.5% in FY 2001.

ADJC New Com m itm ents Average Length of Sentence
by Level of Most Serious Com m itm ent Offense
59.2*

Class = Felony class as defined by A.R.S. 13-601

13 13.1
12

11.411.1
8.6

0

0

9.5

9 8.6

7.4 7.7 7.5 7.8

7.1 7.4 7.5 7.4

6 6.2 6.1

7.1

5.8 6.2 6

6.8

0

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

FY 1999

Class 4

FY 2000

Class 5

FY 2001

Class 6

Misdemeanor

FY 2002

* One juvenile in FY 2002 w as committed to ADJC for 59 months.

Felony 1
Felony 2
Felony 3
Felony 4
Felony 5
Felony 6
Misdemeanor
Total

ADJC NEW COMMITMENTS
FELONY CLASS LEVEL
FY 1999
2000
2001
0
0
1 (0.1%)
47 (4.7%)
51 (5.2%)
34 (3.8%)
155 (15.4%)
142 (14.4%)
137 (15.3%)
147 (14.6%)
141 (14.3%)
109 (12.2%)
82 (8.2%)
94 (9.5%)
90 (10.1%)
252 (25.1%)
253 (25.6%)
249 (27.9%)
322 (32.0%)
306 (31.0%)
273 (30.6%)
1005 (100%)
987 (100%)
893 (100%)

2002
1 (0.1%)
35 (4.3%)
108 (13.1%)
114 (13.9%)
75 (9.1%)
255 (31.0%)
235 (28.6%)
823 (100%)

POST-SENATE BILL 1446 COMMITMENT PROFILES: Tables 4a
and 4b
The SB 1446 commitment categories are considered
hierarchically with subgroups enumerated in the order listed, in
light of previously considered provisions. Thus, a juvenile
admitted for a violent felony would be excluded immediately
and would not appear in the count of chronic felons, even if
he/she also qualified in this category.
The following lists the hierarchical order of the 12 SB 1446
Commitment Profile categories:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.

Age 15+ specified violent felons by ARS codes (mandatory
exclusion)
Age 15+ legislatively-defined violent felons (mandatory
exclusion)
Age 15 + chronic felons (mandatory exclusion)
Felons with prior transfer (mandatory exclusion)
Age 14+ selected offenses (discretionary)
Age 14+ chronic felons (discretionary)
Second time felony, age 14+
First time felons
Misdemeanants
Under age 14, chronic felons
Under age 14, second time felons
Under age 14, violent felons
Probation Violators

CATEGORY 1
Juveniles Age 15 or Older Accused of the Following
Offenses:
1.
2.
3.
4.

First Degree Murder
Second Degree Murder
Armed Robbery
Forcible Sexual Assault

13-1105 (felony class 1)
13-1104 (felony class 1)
13-1904 (felony class 2)
13-1406 (felony class 2)

Class 2 Felony
Class 3 Felony in violation of any offense in Title 13;
chapters 10-17, 19, or 23
Note: selected felony classes 4, 5, or 6 qualify (those involving
knowing or intention of serious physical injury or the discharge,
use or threatening exhibition of deadly weapon or instrument).
However, current automated data systems do not allow for the
routine selection out at this level of specificity. Thus, it is
possible that this category is under represented in the lower
felony classes.
2.
3.

CATEGORY 6
Juveniles Age 14 or Older Accused of the following
offenses:
Any felony by a chronic felony offender
CATEGORY 7

First-time Felony Offenders
The court may award a delinquent juvenile to ADJC on any
felony class not previously identified.
CATEGORY 8
Second-time Felony Offenders
If a juvenile is 14 years of age or older and is adjudicated as a
repeat felony offender (second felony), the juvenile court shall
place the juvenile on juvenile intensive probation supervision or
commit to detention center or commit to ADJC.
Disposition of Un-referenced Commitment Categories
CATEGORY 9
Juveniles adjudicated on a misdemeanor
CATEGORY 10

CATEGORY 2

Juveniles under age 14, defined as a chronic felon

Any other violent felony, defined as:

CATEGORY 11

!
!
!
!

Aggravated Assault Physical Injury
13-1204a1
(felony classes 2 or 3)
Aggravated Assault Deadly Weapon
13-1204a2
(felony classes 2 or 3)
Drive by Shooting
13-1209 (felony class 2)
Discharge a Firearm/Structure 13-1211 (felony class 2)

Juveniles under age 14, defined as a second-time felon
CATEGORY 12
Juveniles under age 15 defined as violent (see categories 1
and 2)

CATEGORY 3

CATEGORY 13

Juveniles Age 15 or Older who are Chronic Felony
Offenders:
Any felony offense committed by a chronic felony offender,
defined as a juvenile with the equivalent of two historical prior
felony convictions.

Juveniles committed on violation of probation
Note: Probation violators are un-referenced in SB 1446. For
purposes of this analysis, probation violators are classified
according to their probated offense and any relevant criminal
history.

CATEGORY 4
Juveniles with a prior criminal court felony conviction:
Any juvenile charged with a criminal offense with a historical
prior felony conviction
CATEGORY 5
Juveniles Age 14 or Older Accused of the following
offenses:
1.

Class 1 Felony

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
The mission of the Research & Development Section is to
provide ADJC management, staff, and Department
stakeholders with accurate, timely, and meaningful information
that supports Department goals.
This paper was prepared by Kathie Putrow, ADJC Research
Analyst II with the assistance of Stella Vasquez, Planner II, Dr. John
Vivian, R & D Administrator and Vira Meza, Administrative
Secretary II.