NYC Juvenile Justice Costs Rise 25 percent

NEW YORK — Juvenile justice system spending in New York City jumped almost 25 percent during the last five years to more than $250 million, according to a report by the city’s independent budget office.

Rising detention costs are the primary factor driving the juvenile justice spending increases of the last five years, according to the report. Youth detention accounting for 75 percent of total juvenile justice system expenditures, which reached an estimated $251 million.

The independent budget office report predicts the city will spend approximately $84 million on detention costs during 2008, compared to $59 million in 2003.