Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A Kansas House member says he wants the state's juvenile justice system to remain separate from the adult prison system.

Rep. Jim Ward, a Democrat from Wichita, has introduced a resolution to challenge Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to merge the Juvenile Justice Authority with the Department of Corrections.

The governor's office says the merger will improve security in the juvenile facilities without hurting rehabilitation programs for minors.

Ward said he is concerned that budget problems will cause the corrections secretary to cut juvenile treatment programs instead of reducing the number of adult criminals in prison.

Hearings on the proposed merger are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

No hearing on Ward's resolution has been scheduled before the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice.