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Issue Brief

Juvenile Delinquent Re-Entry - Overview

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

To develop programs that effectively reintegrate juvenile offenders into society following incarceration and reduce juvenile recidivism.

Local/State/National Information   issue briefs on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Juvenile Delinquent Re-Entry - USA 
• Juvenile Delinquent Re-Entry - Virginia 
• Juvenile Delinquent Re-Entry - Lynchburg, Virginia 
• Juvenile Delinquent Re-Entry - New Jersey
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Policy Options / Program Models   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

Draft categorization of policy options / program models.  The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention has outlined five categories of juvenile delinquent reentry programs:

• Employment and technical/vocational programs have been a proven method of effective reentry and recividism alleviation for juveniles.  Employment progams for juveniles who have been through the juvenile justice system, especially during a time of economic recession, are at a premium.
• While not a reentry program specifically, the "Food from the 'Hood" program at Crenshaw High School in Los Angeles, California presents a model strategy for youth employment and vocational training. This program, which began in 1992, has expanded into a viable business with net profits equally $85,000 in 1996, 27 student-owners, and its own independent non-profit, the Food From the Hood Entreprenuerial Training Institute. http://www.foodfromthehood.com/2004-2005/food/Home/home.htm  meet an urgent demand for education and job training services for adolescents in the county who had not been successful in the local school system, and who did not have the sufficient skills, resources, or education school system, the Troup County Juvenile Court identified a disproportionate number of juveniles who had been expelled from the school system. These young people were left with limited options other than reoffending, as they were unable to work or attend school, and they had little family supervision. Although all of these children had histories of dealing with psychological or behavioral issues, many did not qualify for special education or traditional rehabilitation services. These juveniles truly “fell through the cracks” of the educational and social service systems in their community. Hence, the importance of flexibility and ingenuity in community programming came to play, structured employment, personal and group counseling, life-skills training, social skills training, and career training, and the personal skills necessary to obtain and maintain gainful employment." https://fp.auburn.edu/rse/trans_media/08_Publications/02_Conf_Proceedings/proceedings7_8/08-Suzanne.pdf
•  "Project Retrieval was specifically designed from needs identified by the Troup County Juvenile Court toto obtain employment. With the advent of a new Zero Tolerance Policy for certain offenses in the countyThrough Project Retrieval, participants receive basic literacy skills and GED preparation, job training,counseling, while receiving an income that is based on individual performance. Graduates of ProjectRetrieval leave with a GED or educational skills compatible with their vocational goal, work experience, job
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• The services provided by day treatment programs include a plethora of correctional treatment methods similar to those used in halfway houses, but day treatment facilities allow program participants to return home at night and therefore do not have the costs associated with residential facilities. Treatment services in day treatment facilities may include individual and group counseling, recreation, education, vocational training, employment counseling, education, life skills and cognitive skills training, substance abuse treatment, and community resource referrals. Day treatment facilities (or day reporting centers) are highly structured, community-based, postadjudication, nonresidential programs for serious juvenile offenders. "
• This approach needs at least one model program or policy option profile. ^[1]
• Cognitive behavioral treatment- "(CBT) is a problem-focused approach designed to help people identify and change the dysfunctional beliefs, thoughts, and patterns of behavior that contribute to their problems. Its underlying principle is that thoughts affect emotions, which then influence behaviors. CBT combines two very effective kinds of psychotherapy— cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy .^[2]
• This approach needs at least one model program or policy option profile.
• Reentry court-Reentry courts are specialized courts that help reduce recidivism and improve public safety through the use of judicial oversight. The responsibilities generally assigned to reentry courts include: (1) review offenders' reentry progress and problems: (2) order offenders to participate in various treatment and reintegration programs; (3) use drug and alcohol testing and other checks to monitor compliance; (4) apply graduated sanctions to offenders who do not comply with treatment requirements; (5) provide modest incentive rewards for sustained clean drug tests and other positive behaviors. ^[3]
• This approach needs at least one model program or policy option profile.
• Aftercare programs- can be defined as reintegrative services that prepare out-of-home placed juveniles for reentry into the community by establishing the necessary collaboration with the community and its resources to ensure the delivery of prescribed services and supervision. Aftercare encompasses a wide range of services and the term aftercare "is somewhat of a misnomer because the process does not simply begin after an offender is released. A comprehensive aftercare process typically begins after sentencing, continues through incarceration and into the period of release back to the community."^[4]
• C.I.T.Y- The Community Intenstive Treatment for Youth. Huntsville, Alabama http://www.hsv.k12.al.us/schools/city/
• Other models include:
• Weed and Seed Programs offer a model for effective reentry strategies for formerly incarcerated individuals. "With the increased emphasis being placed on reentry, most states have formed community reentry planning committees. These planning committees are coordinated through the state department of corrections."  While it is crucial that correctional institutions are instrumental in the reentry process, it is also advisable that a holistic approach be sought in reintegrating offenders, especially juveniles, back into society.^[5]   And, this approach needs at least one model program or policy option profile.
•  Violence Intervention Programs   
• Operation CeaseFire - Chicago, IL
• Alternatives for Juvenile Detention

• New Jersey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

• Juvenile delinquency - 1 : conduct by a juvenile characterized by antisocial behavior that is beyond parental control and therefore subject to legal action 2 : a violation of the law committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment ( "juvenile delinquency." (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved March 19, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juvenile delinquency)

• Recidivism- the tendency to relapse into crime. Recidivism rates refer to offender who have been arrested, charged, and released and then commit another offense after their release.

• Day treatment facilities (or day reporting centers) - highly structured, community-based, postadjudication, nonresidential programs for serious juvenile offenders. "

• Cognitive behavioral treatment - "(CBT) is a problem-focused approach designed to help people identify and change the dysfunctional beliefs, thoughts, and patterns of behavior that contribute to their problems. Its underlying principle is that thoughts affect emotions, which then influence behaviors. CBT combines two very effective kinds of psychotherapy— cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy .

• Reentry court - Reentry courts are specialized courts that help reduce recidivism and improve public safety through the use of judicial oversight. 

• Aftercare programs - can be defined as reintegrative services that prepare out-of-home placed juveniles for reentry into the community by establishing the necessary collaboration with the community and its resources to ensure the delivery of prescribed services and supervision.

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