Blog: Juvenile Justice Reform

Good for You!

By Richard Gold, May 24 2010

[The following post is reprinted with permission from the blog at the Pongo Teen Writing website. The author has recently posted "Writing from Kids in the Juvenile Justice System: In My Blood to Be a Drunk" and "Poetry as Treatment for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System" on this blog. Photo by hojusaram. -Ed.]

Though Pongo is completely focused on the youth in the program, there have been a few surprising times when the teens have taken care of me. I appreciate it, but I also think it shows a talent in them.

I remember working with a young man in juvenile detention who was gang involved. He wrote about feeling forced to be a man, in the gang way, by carrying a gun on the streets and dealing drugs. He wrote about not knowing any other life. On a deeper level, he wrote about not having a dad, about struggles with loneliness. He had been suspicious of the writing at first, and we talked for a long time before we began. But when we were done, as he was leaving, he turned to me and said, “It’s very nice of you, sir, to take your time to help young people.”

Once I was leading a poetry workshop with a large group of youth at the state psychiatric hospital. After a nice beginning, they wanted to move on from the writing activities that I had brought. They wanted to write on their own, about issues that were very much on their minds. They worked quietly. And as they finished I would call individuals forward to read. While each person read, the other youth would pause, listen, and applaud, and then continue with their own work. Though I rarely become emotional while working with kids, the writing in this session was so poignant, dealing with suicidal feelings, that I started to cry. The group was calm and quiet, and one teen walked to the back of the room to get me a box of tissues. And we carried on.

Topics: Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Positive Youth Development

Roundup: "Igniting Change in Juvenile Justice" Webinar and More

By Benjamin Chambers, May 21 2010

Juvenile Justice System and Adolescent Behavioral Health News

Despite years of attention being drawn to the problem, mental health issues are still rife among teens in the juvenile justice system, according to a post from Center on Juvenile & Criminal Justice. What's more, a recent study in Pediatrics indicates that youth in juvenile detention may be four times more likely to die than youth in the general population, and this risk factor is higher for youth of color and for girls.
Juvenile courts and adult courts are struggling with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), which may afflict many of their clients. Individuals with FASD may appear able to understand the consequences of their actions, but cannot; awareness among juvenile court staff is recommended as a first step. Meanwhile, the American Academy of Pediatricians has recommended that all youth should be screened for alcohol beginning in middle school.
A detailed update by Youth Today from Luzerne County, PA on the judges involved in the kids-for-cash scandal, and what the government plans to prove at trial.
It's About Time Department: economists and educators argue that policy makers need to start preparing alternatives for kids who aren't going to college.
An interesting review of two books on a topic you don't see much about in young adult books: life in the juvenile justice system.

Topics: Adolescent Mental Health, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice Reform, News, No bio box

Juvenile Justice System Funding - More from OJJDP for 2010

By Benjamin Chambers, May 19 2010

juvenile-justice-system-funding_smarties-with-dollar-signs The good folks at the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) simply don't quit -- and for that, we should be glad. Once again, they've announced more funding opportunities:

Group Mentoring Research and Evaluation Program - deadline June 28, 2010
National Girls Institute - deadline June 30, 2010
National Training and Technical Assistance Center for Youth in Custody - June 29, 2010

Topics: Funding, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Positive Youth Development

Juvenile Justice Reform - More on U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Prohibiting Life Without Parole for Youth Who Have Not Committed Homicide

By Sarah Bryer, May 19 2010

[The following is reposted in its entirety from an e-newsletter sent out by the National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) and is reprinted with permission. -Ed.]
juvenile-justice-reform_Supreme-Court-building The National Juvenile Justice Network commends the May 17, 2010 holding by the Supreme Court of the United States that it is unconstitutional to sentence youth who did not commit homicide to life without the possibility of parole. Graham v. Florida broadly condemns the sentence of life without parole for youth who have not committed homicide, finding the punishment to be cruel and unusual. The opinion draws upon our national evolving standards of decency demonstrated in part by the fact that only 129 non-homicide youth offenders are currently serving life without parole sentences in only 12 states.

The strongly worded opinion affirms the fact that youth have lessened culpability than adults, and that youth’s developing brains make it impossible to determine if they are beyond rehabilitation. Reiterating many of the findings from Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), regarding youth’s lack of maturity, underdeveloped sense of responsibility and vulnerability to outside, especially peer, pressure, the Court states that youth cannot be “classified among the worst offenders.” Furthermore, “no recent data provide reasons to reconsider” the Court’s observations in Roper, and “developments in psychology and brain science continue to showfundamental differences between juvenile and adult minds.”

Topics: Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Public Policy

Juvenile Justice Reform: Building Support with Good Communications

By Benjamin Chambers, May 19 2010

Want to get the word out about your juvenile justice reform initiative to key stakeholders and to the public? The Center for Court Innovation has your back: it's just released "Building Support for Justice Initiatives: A Communications Toolkit," in cooperation with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

From their press release: "The publication is a manual to help justice practitioners communicate about their work with the public and key institutional stakeholders. Includes 10 key steps for effective communication, extensive links to on-line resources, and guides offering sample logos, brochures, and flyers as well as practical tips for communication strategies like 'Crafting a Core Message.'"
Bonus: The Reclaiming Futures blog is listed as one of the online resources. We're flattered!

Topics: Juvenile Court, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box

Supreme Court Restricts Life Without Parole Sentences for Juveniles

By Benjamin Chambers, May 18 2010

Juveniles may not be sentenced to life without parole for crimes short of homicide, according to a 5-4 Supreme Court decision. While teens may be given life sentences, the court ruled that they must have the opportunity to apply for eventual release. In doing so, the court recognized the unique developmental stage of adolescence, and the possibility of young people's maturation and redemption.
I would argue that the ruling should be extended to include homicides as well -- at least on a case-by-case basis. But what do you think?

Topics: Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Public Policy

Juvenile Justice Reform: Helping Families in Crisis

By Grace Bauer, May 17 2010

I don't get to talk to families on their best days. Rather, I mostly talk to people when they are in the midst of crisis - a crisis having arisen because their child has been arrested or is somewhere on the short road to being tried, sentenced, or incarcerated as an adult even though they are still a child. I feel inadequate and find myself lacking answers. I feel scared for them knowing that they are powerless and the full range of consequences of these practices will not reach them until years down the road. Truly, it is the families and the children that will carry years of devastating burdens far longer than I.

As an organizer, I want to see the reform that will end these harmful practices, but as a family organizer, I want to provide answers to folks who have a right to understand every aspect of what is happening to their children in these circumstances. I keep wondering whose job it is to give families the information they need during this difficult time.

Many families seek legal advice from the attorneys that represent their children. Providing this advice, however, can be difficult for the attorneys because they represent the child, not the family. While families can and should take an active role in the defense of their child and communicate relevant information to the attorney, such as if the child has been in trouble before or was a good student, this still ultimately means that the care and concern of the child falls back to the family. Yet, the family often lacks the information necessary to help make decisions in the best interest of their child. How are families to make decisions without adequate information?

Topics: Family Involvement, Juvenile Court, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box

Roundup: Input Needed on Federal Strategic Plan on At-Risk Youth Policy - and More

By Benjamin Chambers, May 14 2010

juvenile-justice-system-adolescent-substance-abuse_old-TV Juvenile Justice System News

Chicago Public Radio's excellent series, Inside and Out, recently covered racial disparities in the Illinois juvenile justice system, and explored them in a live community forum.
In an editorial, The New York Times urges support for bills in Congress that would create a blue-ribbon commission on fixing the criminal justice system. Among other items on the fix-it list: incarcerating nonviolent offenders.
Federal funding for at-risk youth from ... the National Endowment for the Arts? Yes! In partnership with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the NEA 's Shakespeare for a New Generation program will fund six theatre companies to provide educational activities and performances to youth in the juvenile justice system.

Topics: Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Positive Youth Development

Still More Funding for the Juvenile Justice System from OJJDP

By Benjamin Chambers, May 13 2010

juvenile-justice-system-funding_smarties-with-dollar-signs The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has announced four more funding opportunities for 2010.

Juvenile Indigent Defense National Clearinghouse - deadline June 24, 2010. From the RFP: "This program‘s purpose is to provide resources to maintain a national clearinghouse on juvenile indigent defense. The successful applicant will operate a national clearinghouse to address the deprivations of due process for indigent youth in the justice system and to improve the quality of juvenile indigent defense representation. The clearinghouse will provide technical support and training, publications and resources, policy development, and leadership opportunities to the juvenile indigent defense bar."

Topics: Funding, Juvenile Court, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box

Meeting the Educational Needs of Youth in the Juvenile Justice System and Child Welfare System

By Benjamin Chambers, May 11 2010

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform just released a new paper on “Addressing the Unmet Educational Needs of Children and Youth in the Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare Systems." It's co-authored by Dr. Peter Leone from the University of Maryland and Dr. Lois Weinberg from California State University, Los Angeles.

The authors offer six principles to address the educational needs of these "crossover youth," as well as policy and practice steps to improve their outcomes.

Topics: Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box

Roundup: Proven Practices for Improving Education and Employment for Disadvantaged Young Men - and More

By Benjamin Chambers, May 06 2010

Juvenile Justice Reform News

One of the two juvenile court judges involved in the Pennsylvania kids-for-cash scandal pleaded guilty on April 29th. (Missed the story? We linked to a story in The New York Times last year about the two judges who apparently accepted money to funnel kids into a private juvenile detention facility.)
It doesn't really cover juvenile drug courts, but the Organization of American States (OAS), American University, and others have just published an overview of a survey of drug courts in 12 countries, giving an interesting (and positive) international picture of the intervention.
Helping kids in trouble with the law be successful means helping them be successful in school and on the job. So you might be interested in this paper from The Urban Institute, "Improving Education and Employment for Disadvantaged Young Men: Proven and Promising Strategies." It reviews the "evidence base on programs and policies such as youth development for adolescents and young teens; programs seeking to improve educational attainment and employment for in-school youth; and programs that try to 'reconnect' those who are out of school and frequently out of work, including public employment programs." Next, it reviews promising and proven strategies for helping affected youth. (Hat tip to @isaac_outcomes.)

Topics: Adolescent Mental Health, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice Reform, Juvenile Treatment Drug Court, News, No bio box, Resources

Even More OJJDP 2010 Funding Opportunities

By Benjamin Chambers, May 04 2010

Funding for Training Juvenile Drug Court Teams

Got experience helping juvenile drug courts implement the 16 strategies needed to run an effective drug court? The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is looking for a provider to "build the capacity of service delivery" for juvenile drug courts nationally "through providing online, Web-based, and face-to-face individual and group training sessions."
Interested in applying? "The provider should have substantial experience conducting assessments of technical assistance needs, developing and conducting training on the [s]trategies, effectively communicating and collaborating with drug courts, and conducting post-training evaluations." Deadline is June 15, 2010.

Topics: Funding, Juvenile Justice Reform, Juvenile Treatment Drug Court, No bio box

BJA Funds for Careers Training and Research on Improving Education for Teens in the Juvenile Justice System

By Benjamin Chambers, April 29 2010

The National Reentry Resource Center recently sent out the following announcement for not one but two grant opportunities through the Second Chance Act that apply to juveniles.

Topics: Funding, Juvenile Court, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Resources

Starting and Maintaining a CLTL Juvenile Program: An Interview with Michael Habib

By Allan McDougall, April 28 2010

[The following post is about the Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL) program. It originally appeared in different form on the CLTL Blog, Changing Lives, Changing Minds, and is reposted here with the permission of the author and the publisher. You can learn more about Bristol County, Massachusetts’ experience with the program here. -Ed.]

Recently, I had the chance to interview Michael Habib, who facilitates the Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL) program for teens in Fall River, MA. Because I volunteer with young offenders in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, I wanted his advice on a few questions:

What tips do you have for other juvenile reading programs?
How do you get kids to open up?
What do you do when they don’t do their assigned work?

Topics: Juvenile Court, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Positive Youth Development

The Importance of Literacy for Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System

By Benjamin Chambers, April 27 2010

It's not news that teens in the juvenile justice system often have trouble in school. But you might be interested in this issue brief from NDTAC*, which summarizes the relevant research on the link between low literacy and delinquency -- and on the probable positive impact that literacy programs have on reducing recidivism. (The research to date, unfortunately, is more suggestive than conclusive.) The brief makes a forceful case for addressing the educational needs of youth in the justice system.
You might also be interested in NDTAC's Transition Toolkit 2.0. Here's what NDTAC says about it:
[The] second edition of NDTAC’s Transition Toolkit brings together strategies, existing practices, and updated resources and documents on transition to enable administrators and service providers to deliver high-quality transition services for children and youth moving into, through, and out of education programs within the juvenile justice system.
Simple communication efforts and the implementation of basic transition processes, such as timely records transfer, can have a dramatic impact on a student’s engagement in school and avoidance of further incarceration. As such, the focus of the Toolkit is on the administrative processes, coordination efforts, and communication practices within the juvenile justice system. The Toolkit offers ideas and tools that administrators can use to improve the basic functioning of their treatment and institution-based programs, with a primary focus on programs related to the educational needs of youth and those who directly provide education services.

Topics: Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Research Updates

Resource Roundup: Juvenile Justice, Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Crossover Youth, and More

By Benjamin Chambers, April 24 2010

This week, we've got a bonanza of resources, conference presentations, and toolkits related to the juvenile justice system, adolescent substance abuse treatment, and working with troubled youth generally.
Presentations from Juvenile Justice Conferences You Missed

Still suffering heartburn because you weren't able to make it to that fantastic juvenile justice conference this year? No worries. You can find many of the presentations online. For example:

Presentations from the Coalition for Juvenile Justice 2010 onference. (Hat tip to Mark Fulop.)
The 2010 Blueprints conference can help update you on what really works in preventing youth violence.
Even if you're not a grantee of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), you can find interesting material posted from a recent orientation OJJDP held for new grantees: for example, there's a presentation on how to evaluate your program, another that covers "tools to improve services and program performance," a review of the findings from the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV), and of course, an overview of OJJDP grant programs.

Topics: Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Resources

Self-Preservation for Parents and Caregivers of Teens in Juvenile Court

By Sadric Bonner M.P.A., April 20 2010

When children you love and care for end up involved with the juvenile justice system, their journey could lead to months or years that slowly extract mental and physical energy from you. That’s why it’s paramount that you surround yourself with natural supports and a safe haven.

As parents and caregivers, our natural instinct is to nurture. An inexperienced child – perhaps even our own flesh and blood -- tugs at our hearts. Regardless of the title you hold, or how the child is related to you, you will need to carve out quality time for yourself. I’m sure some of you will laugh at the absurdity of this idea, but in the long run, our young people’s self-made problems from their past can and will come back to haunt our present.

Topics: Family Involvement, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box

Juvenile Justice System Research: Introducing the Pathways to Desistance study

By Carol A. Schube..., April 19 2010

[Last December, I posted a bare-bones summary of the groundbreaking "Pathways to Desistance" study on serious juvenile offenders underwritten by the MacArthur Foundation, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and eight other funders. This is the first in a series of posts by the two researchers overseeing the study that describes their results with more precision and in more detail. --Ed.]
The Pathways to Desistance study is a multi-site, longitudinal study of serious adolescent offenders as they transition from adolescence into early adulthood. Between November, 2000 and January, 2003, 1,354 adjudicated youths from the juvenile and adult court systems in Maricopa County (Phoenix), Arizona (N = 654) and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (N = 700) were enrolled in the study. The enrolled youth were at least 14 years old and under 18 years old at the time of their committing offense and were found guilty of a serious offense (predominantly felonies, with a few exceptions for some misdemeanor property offenses, sexual assault, or weapons offenses). These are the types of serious adolescent offenders that often drive debate about how well the juvenile justice system works to control crime and rehabilitate youth.

Topics: Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Research Updates

Roundup: BJA Funds for Juvenile Reentry Courts - and More

By Benjamin Chambers, April 16 2010

Juvenile Justice System Funding News

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) has launched a Grants 101 web page to assist applicants.
Also, the Bureau of Justice Assistance has announced a Second Chance Act grant for state, local, and tribal reentry courts. The target population includes youth released from juvenile detention facilities. Application deadline is June 3, 2010. (Hat tip to the National Reentry Resource Center.)
The Employment and Training Administration announced the availability of approximately $20 million for two grants to prepare young adult (ages 18 to 24) offenders and high school dropouts in high-poverty, high-crime communities for employment. Only national and regional intermediaries with experience conducting multi-site projects and experience serving young adult offenders will be eligible. The Department expects to award two grants of $10 million each, covering a six-month planning period and two full years of operation. Grantees will be required to competitively select local sub-grantees to operate the program in a minimum of five high-poverty, high-crime communities across at least two States. Application deadline: May 10th.

Topics: Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment, Juvenile Justice Reform, News, No bio box

Positive Youth Justice Report and the CJJ Youth Manual

By Mark Ferrante, April 15 2010

Positive Youth Justice Report

According to a new report that my organization, the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ), just published, the future for youth involved with the justice system could be dramatically improved by applying the principles of positive youth development (PYD) practice to the juvenile justice system and its services.
The report -- Positive Youth Justice: Framing Justice Interventions Using the Concepts of Positive Youth Development, written by Jeffrey A. Butts, Gordon Bazemore and Aundra Saa Meroe -- explores the tremendous potential of helping court-involved youth develop their pro-social strengths and attributes, and increase their abilities to contribute to healthy, safe family and community life.

Topics: Juvenile Court, Juvenile Justice Reform, No bio box, Positive Youth Development, Youth Engagement

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