The administration of the juvenile justice system in Kansas is merging into the adult correctional system.

Gov. Sam Brownback contends the Juvenile Justice Authority will be better managed under the Department of Corrections and says money going toward administration of the JJA could instead be diverted into programs for offenders.

The Department of Corrections says in a release that the merger takes effect Monday.

Brownback removed the Juvenile Justice Authority’s top two officials last year and put a Department of Corrections official in charge. Legislative audits later questioned the authority’s handling of safety issues and suggested its education programs for young offenders aren’t up to par.

The Corrections Department houses about 9,400 adult offenders. The Juvenile Justice Authority oversees programs for 1,500 young offenders.