Diversion program saving Hughes County money by keeping juveniles out of corrections system

A program to help youths facing criminal charges stay out of the correctional system in South Dakota is saving money for Hughes County.

Youth Diversion Coordinator Lacey Boxley says the savings are happening because of the use of the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative– JDAI.

Hughes County States Attorney Casey Deibert says the savings on court-appointed attorneys fees have basically paid for the program.

Boxley says that holds true for the juvenile diversions.

The Hughes County Commission should find out if they’ve been awarded the JADI grants within the next month.