Last updated October 30, 2026
Returning home is a transition back to school, family, work, and community life. These figures help families, partners, and community members understand the wider context for youth reentry support.
U.S. youth placement context
Residential placement includes detention and committed placements. These national figures describe youth in facilities, rather than the number of young people released or an annual reentry rate.
29,314
Youth were in residential placement nationwide
The October 2023 census counted youth held for delinquency or status offenses. This is a one-day population count, not the number returning home over a year.
OJJDP: Youth in Residential Placement, 2023 ↗Census: October 2023. Published September 2025.
18%
Increase in placement between 2021 and 2023
OJJDP reports that the national placement population rose over this period but remained below pre-pandemic levels. Placement counts describe system involvement, not reentry success.
OJJDP: Youth in Residential Placement, 2023 ↗Comparison: 2021 to 2023. Published September 2025.
Maryland youth reentry context
Maryland reports follow-up outcomes for defined probation and committed-treatment cohorts. Family involvement is also part of the state’s reentry planning measures.
81.5%
Had no new reconviction within 12 months after committed treatment
For Maryland’s fiscal 2023 committed-treatment release cohort, this measure includes juvenile readjudication or adult conviction. It does not mean no rearrest.
Maryland Department of Legislative Services, FY 2027 budget analysis, p. 17 ↗Cohort: FY 2023. Analysis published 2026, citing the FY 2025 DJS Data Resource Guide.
83.0%
Had no new reconviction within 12 months in the probation cohort
This fiscal 2023 probation measure covers a different group from youth leaving committed treatment. The two outcomes should be read separately.
Maryland Department of Legislative Services, FY 2027 budget analysis, p. 17 ↗Cohort: FY 2023. Analysis published 2026, citing the FY 2025 DJS Data Resource Guide.
86.9%
Of families of committed youth attended reentry planning meetings
DJS reported this family-engagement measure for fiscal 2025. Attendance is a planning measure, not a measure of long-term outcomes.
Maryland Department of Legislative Services, FY 2027 budget analysis, p. 16 ↗Reporting period: FY 2025. Analysis published 2026.
What these figures can tell us
An arrest, a juvenile adjudication or adult conviction, and a return to custody are different events. A percentage always needs its population, outcome definition, and follow-up period alongside it.
The national placement census and Maryland follow-up measures answer different questions. They should not be combined into a national youth recidivism rate or treated as a forecast for a young person. None of these figures measures FLSU program outcomes.
For families in Baltimore, the next step may involve education, work readiness, supportive-service connections, or someone to help navigate available options. Explore FLSU youth leadership or contact FLSU about support.
Sources and methodology
Figures retain the populations, dates, and measures of the government reports linked beside each statistic. OJJDP supplies the U.S. census context; Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services reports DJS outcomes and reentry planning measures. Publication dates differ from the years the data describes.
Cite this page
First Line Strategies Unlimited, Inc. “Youth Reentry Statistics: U.S. and Maryland Context.” Updated October 30, 2026.
Youth reentry statistics reference
Link to the original report alongside any statistic you quote.