THE YOUTH PAROLE AUTHORITY
The Youth Parole Authority (YPA) establishes the terms of confinement (guidelines) for youth, and authorizes the release to parole and termination from JJS custody. The Youth Parole Authority is made up of Utah citizens.
Facts about The Youth Parole Authority Process
- YPA takes over jurisdiction of a delinquent youth when a Juvenile Court Judge commits the youth to secure care.
- YPA conducts six types of hearings:
- Initial Hearing: During this first hearing for a juvenile offender, YPA reviews the offender’s record, police reports, social/family history, and related information. YPA then establishes the suggested number of months a youth will serve in a secure facility-- the youth’s guideline. YPA can reduce or extend the offender's length of stay. Use of a weapon or extent of injury to victim(s) generally means the offender will stay longer.
- Progress Review Hearing: YPA reviews the youth's progress at least every six months to check and adjust treatment if needed. Depending on guideline and treatment progress, the youth is scheduled for another Progress Review or a Parole Review.
- Parole Review: YPA studies the progress of the youth and may consider recommendations for parole. The recommendation contains the length and starting date for trial placement. The JJS facility staff recommends special conditions to be added to the generic parole agreement such as type of placement, counseling, or prohibiting association with known gang members. YPA can require additions or changes to this plan or placement, or can deny the request for parole.
- Rescission Hearing: H eld when a youth on trial placement fails to meet the terms of the facility release plan. YPA decides whether to continue the youth's conditional release, or to rescind the release and return the youth to the facility.
- Revocation Hearing: The Case Manager makes formal charges when a youth violates parole status. The youth is represented by an attorney to protect his/her rights at the hearing. If the charges are found true, the parole status is revoked. YPA may return the offender to secure care or rework the release agreement. If charges are found false, the youth continues on parole.
- Administrative Hearing: The most common requests at this hearing are to change placements or to discharge from parole status.
- Qualifications for parole include serving the time required by the YPA, completing an individual treatment plan with positive ratings, and demonstrating readiness for release.
- Before a parole agreement is signed, youth participate in a trial placement. Youth who fail to meet expectations may be returned to secure care.
- Youth receive Parole status after the youth, secure facility superintendent, parents, and the Case Manager sign the parole agreement. While under parole, the youth is supervised by a Case Manager. If the youth violates the parole agreement, the youth may be returned to secure care.
- Qualifications for termination from parole include abiding by the conditions of the parole agreement, meeting court obligations (e.g., restitution and community services hours) and demonstrating favorable adjustment to parole expectations.
- Victims may appear at hearings, write a letter to provide information to YPA about the impact of the crime on the victim’s life, learn of a hearing’s outcome, or ask that a “no contact clause” be added to the offender’s parole agreement. YPA seeks victim input as the case continues.
Contact Information for the Youth Parole Authority
Youth Parole Authority
Garrett Watkins, Administrative Officer
120 North 200 West, Suite 415
Salt Lake City, Utah 84103
(801) 538-4331