The first is the growth of the state's juvenile population. The second is increasing lengths of stay by juveniles in these facilities. When a ward cannot get required program services, he or she is not paroled, thereby staying longer in youth authority facilities. The Little Hoover Commission recommends adoption of legislation precluding the YOPB from adding time to a ward's commitment stay solely because programming has been unavailable. The Little Hoover Commission found that those who work in the CYA institutions and those who are critical observers believe the CYA's ability to provide appropriate treatment, education and training to juveniles has decreased markedly.
Budget cuts appear to be largely responsible.
Although the State has few resources available to change the situation, the prospects for juveniles to be rehabilitated, deterred from crime and equipped for productive lives depend on the ability of policy makers to find creative reforms that can change priorities and commitment patterns. Since 1981, the number of cases of battery without a weapon committed against incarcerated youth in facilities managed by the CYA has increased steadily. Juvenile convicts, the vast majority of whom are incarcerated for nonviolent offenses are compelled to contend with this pervasive violence much of which is due to widespread gang activity. See also charts in the Little Hoover Commission Report. By the end of 1995, there were approximately 9,900 youthful offenders housed in CYA institutions and camps, with an average length of stay of 25.4 months.