Ankle Monitor Funds Cut for Delinquents

Budget cuts remove another vital resource for the Harrison County Youth Court.
According to Judge Margaret Alfonso, youth services for the state cut funding for ankle monitors. The court often places children charged with delinquent acts on house arrest with an ankle monitor, enabling the child to continue to go to school and work if need be.
Judge Alfonso could not provide a specific price on the device, but says the alternatives will be much more costly. “Which is to place the child in detention or have the community at risk by this child being in the community and not being monitored.”
The youth court recently lost the Adolescent Opportunity Program which was an effective and intensive probation service.
Judge Alfonso and law enforcement worry that budget cuts will eventually eliminate all the tools needed to combat juvenile delinquency.