Deaf Smith County embraces youth diversion to reduce juvenile incarceration
By Isabeth Carillo, isabetca@ttu.edu
This data underscores the financial advantages of diversion programs over traditional incarceration methods, reinforcing Deaf Smith County's commitment to rehabilitative justice.
In response to state mandates and the high costs associated with juvenile detention, Deaf Smith County is implementing a youth diversion program aimed at rehabilitating minors through education and community support rather than incarceration.
Although the Texas Legislature mandated the creation of the program, County Judge D.J. Wagner believes the new youth diversion effort is a much better fit for helping troubled youth than the juvenile detention center the county operated until about 10 years ago.
"Because it wasn’t a secure facility, with no bars on the windows, we shut it down. It did put a few people out of work, but the cost was so expensive, it really made sense for the county to do away with that," Wagner said.
Without a local detention center, the county needed alternative solutions. Rather than continuing to invest in a flawed system, Deaf Smith County chose to focus on more effective interventions, often sending juveniles to specialized placements centered on vocational training.
Such placements represent a significant investment, costing up to $200 per day per youth, but Wagner stressed that the returns, both socially and economically, are well worth it. Instead of condemning young people to a cycle of incarceration and unemployment, the county hopes to set them on a trajectory toward independence and self-sufficiency.
"We invest a lot in those youth that are really troubled. But we didn’t want to lock them up for 10 years and have them come back unproductive," Wagner said. "Hopefully this program helps them move forward."
Deaf Smith County Deputy Constable Brady Moberley, who was appointed by the Commissioners Court to oversee the plan, said the program allows for early intervention. Moberley explained that the new structure allows law enforcement to intervene earlier, offering young people a chance to learn from mistakes.
"Instead of issuing a citation, patrol officers can directly refer them to the program and never actually file a citation," Moberley said.
“Backbone of the diversion program”
The county partners with organizations such as the Deaf Smith County Crisis Center and Core Solutions Online. These partnerships ensure the diversion program can address not only criminal behavior, but also the root causes behind it.
"The Crisis Center is the go-to for domestic violence, and they work with the Bridge in Amarillo for child abuse and sexual assault cases. They also host mental health services," Moberley said. "Core Solutions provides online learning for various types of violations—it’s the education backbone of the diversion program."
With these partnerships in place, the diversion effort has begun to gain traction. As of April 29, 13 juveniles have been referred to the program, though four have declined to participate. While the program may not reach every youth, officials say it still offers a meaningful opportunity for many to change course.
The primary goal of the program is to break the cycle before it starts. By offering counseling, education, and resources at an early stage, officials hope to redirect young offenders away from the criminal justice system altogether.
"If we can catch the behavior early, we might prevent a higher offense at a younger age," Moberley said. "Some won’t respond, but many will, and sometimes just working with them and counseling goes a long way."
Research supports the program’s approach. According to the Texas Justice Court Training Center, youths participating in diversion services had a 22% recidivism rate, compared to 34% for those processed through traditional court systems.
Financially, the advantages are equally compelling. The cost of incarcerating a juvenile in Texas can reach approximately $709.66 per day, whereas community-based programs are significantly less expensive, according to the Legislative Budget Board.
The initiative ultimately aims to equip minors with the tools and support needed to make positive life choices, benefiting not only the individuals but the broader community as well.
Bar Chart: Cost Comparison of Juvenile Justice Approaches in Texas
Source: Texas Legislative Budget Board, 2023
