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r JAN 31 10A BOOK 91 p,, � -7 `� problem is that when a child is put through the adult criminal justice system and placed into an adult penal institution, we have thrown that child away. Other states have tried leaving the decision to the discretion of the judge, but if a judge in Miami treats a juvenile as an adult and a judge in Jacksonville treats a juvenile as a juvenile for the same crime, that causes problems. Commissioner Adams led discussion regarding punishment versus prevention and asked what type of prevention is planned. The proposed legislation deals with current as well as continuing problems. We must have incentive for people to straighten their lives out. We must have a stick in our hands to steer them away from a life of crime or drug and alcohol abuse. Right now there is nothing to prevent juveniles from committing crimes because there is no fear of the system. Drug rehabilitation programs do not work unless the alternative is harsher than the drug program. The proposed legislation would be the basis for a system of prevention, but it will solve only a part of the juvenile crime problem. Commissioner Adams was concerned about the expense and asked if there are estimates on potential costs. Dr. Norris advised that 60 percent of the current HRS budget for the juvenile justice program is used for the over -14 age group, and some of that 60 percent would help pay for the new system. State Attorney Colton agreed that some of that funding could be diverted to the proposed program. He cautioned that HRS is underfunded when it comes to dealing with juveniles, and he would prefer to see them concentrate on the younger juveniles. He pointed out that the annual cost of the HRS residential program in the high-risk category is $60,000 for each juvenile, while the cost is $16,000 in the adult system. Commissioner Macht asked about parental accountability, and State Attorney Colton advised that a judge can direct the parent or guardian to attend court sessions for their child, but there is no provision that compels the parent to attend. We cannot punish the parent or put a parent in jail for the crime that the child committed, but if a judge puts a child on house arrest in the proposed program, the judge could order that the parent be accountable for that child's whereabouts and report immediately if the child does not comply with the regulations, and the judge could hold the parent in contempt for not following through on that. Mr. Lindsey asked whether we can compel incarcerated juveniles to earn a high school diploma before they are released, and State Attorney Colton responded that we cannot require a child to stay in jail until he receives a high school diploma, but there are 10