Overview

A Less Restrictive Placement (LRP) is a community-based placement option for youth with a Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) order and are under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Probation Department. LRPs are designed to help youth transition out of secure confinement and successfully reintegrate into the community.

California counties significantly expanded the use of LRPs following the State’s closure of the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) in 2023. That closure shifted responsibility for higher-need, justice-involved youth from the State to local counties. LRPs are intended to provide youth with rehabilitation, treatment, education, counseling, life skills development, and supportive services in a smaller and more normalized setting while maintaining appropriate levels of supervision and accountability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the definition of a justice-involved youth under the jurisdiction of the Probation Department?
These are youth up to the age of 26 who have committed crimes in the community, have been arrested, and placed under the jurisdiction of the Probation Department by Juvenile Courts.

Does Probation run LRPs?
No. The Los Angeles County Probation Department contracts with some LRPs, and conducts site visits to continue supervising youth placed there by the courts. The courts may also place youth in LRPs that do not have contracts with Probation.

How many LRPs does Los Angeles County contract with?
Currently, the Probation Department contracts with three LRPs: Amity Foundation, Boys Republic, and Restorative Academic Mentorship Program (RAMP).

How many LRPs does Probation work with that are not directly contracted?
Currently, the Department is working with seventeen (17) LRPs that are not directly contracted.

Which youth may qualify for placement in an LRP?
They are for SYTF youth. Eligibility depends on court orders, public safety considerations, assessed treatment needs, educational needs, and the availability of appropriate placements.

Who decides whether a youth is placed in an LRP?
Decisions to place a youth at an LRP are ultimately made by the court, with consideration given to recommendations made by Probation, defense attorneys, treatment professionals and other stakeholders. In most cases, a youth must demonstrate significant progress toward rehabilitative treatment goals before consideration to a less restrictive placement is given.

What types of programs are offered at LRPs?
LRPs offer a variety of programming depending on the individual needs of the youth. Services will usually include opportunities for vocational and educational programming, access to mental health professionals, substance abuse treatment, and other programming designed to support the rehabilitation of the youth.

How are youth placed in LRPs supervised?
Youth placed in LRPs remain under Probation supervision and court jurisdiction. Each youth is assigned a Deputy Probation Officer (DPO), who meets and orientates a youth on conditions of probation and department expectations. The DPO will meet with the youth at minimum two (2) times per month, but more frequently if additional support is needed.

Do youth attend school while in LRPs?
If a youth has not yet graduated from high school, they are required to attend school or enroll in classes to assist with obtaining a GED or equivalent. For youth who have already graduated, many are enrolled in community college or University courses, and will attend school regularly.  Other youth may also receive vocational and/or job training.

Are youth allowed to leave the LRPs?
Most LRPs require an initial “blackout” period where they are not allowed to leave the LRP for the first 30 days after their release from confinement, except for specific activities, such as attending school or a vocational program. As the youth are integrated into LRP programming and demonstrate their ability to following probation conditions and program rules, they are able to earn day and weekend passes for the limited purpose of connecting with family members and supporting adults. The Court and Deputy Probation Officer also have discretion to allow passes for specific purposes, such as group field trips or special occasions.

What happens if a youth violates rules or leaves placement without permission?
The response depends on the nature of the violation, public safety considerations, court orders, and individual case circumstances.

How are LRPs funded?
The three (3) LRPs that Probation contracts with are through the Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG) funding.

Does Probation monitor LRP facilities?
For the contracted facilities, as part of the fiscal audit process, Probation’s Contract Monitoring Unit (CMU) conducts site visits. This includes verification that the facility is open and operating, verification of the correct number of available beds, and confirmation that adequate bedding is available for youth placed there.

Does Probation oversee the LRP facilities themselves?
Probation supervises youth placed in LRPs, not the facilities themselves. Oversight authority over facilities themselves may vary depending on contract status, licensing authority, court orders, and applicable state regulations.

Are communities notified when an LRP opens nearby?
Notification requirements may vary depending on licensing requirements, local regulations, and the type of provider or placement. Probation is not in charge of making notifications on individual youth placements.

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