Facility and Policy Reform
Money within the juvenile justice system is being used ineffectively.
- States spend about $5.7 billion each year incarcerating youth (Justice Policy Institute, 2009)
- Recidivism rates for juveniles in detention centers are up to 70% after two years (Pinheiro, 2006)
Invest in Community-based Alternatives!
- There is a 10% recidivism rate for juveniles in community-based alternative programs (Pinheiro, 2006)
Implement Screening!
- In order to help the mentally ill, we must first identify those in need.
Invest in Proper Training, Staffing and Programs within Facilities
Once identified, whenever possible youth with serious mental health issues should be diverted from the juvenile justice system. However, due to the severity of crimes this may not always be possible. Therefore, proper services within detention centers must be provided. There must be proper training, staffing, and programs necessary to deliver mental health services within juvenile detention centers. If these individuals are to successfully reenter society at some point, proper care is needed (Cocozza and Skowyra, 2000).
Hold Facilities Accountable
In order to ensure progress is being made and that change is truly the objective, data must be used to hold juvenile detention centers accountable. States must measure recidivism rates closely. Also, states must monitor youths’ progress in areas such as education, employment, and mental health (No Place for Kids, 2011). This way youth progress can be checked on. If they are not succeeding in reentering society proper interventions must be made in order to make sure the child does not regress back to the state that got him in trouble in the first place. In addition, if recidivism rates for a specific institution are deemed high, the state must check on the facility to make sure they are doing what is required of them. If the facility in not succeeding in helping these children the leaders must be held accountable and changes must be made. Lastly, sexual abuse against juveniles by staff within facilities is unacceptable (Beck, Cantor, Hartge, & Smith, 2013). Changes within facilities must be made to prevent this from continuing. If rates of sexual abuse by staff, provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, remain high those in high ranking positions within facilities must be held accountable.
End The Policy of Trying Juveniles as Adults
Juveniles are not adults and should not be treated as adults. Their brains have not yet fully developed and are more inclined to impulsive behavior. There is nothing a minor can do to make themselves eligible to vote, smoke, or drink. Therefore, why is the justice system the only place kids are treated as adults? Trying kids as adults puts juveniles at risk of violence, sexual abuse and suicide. As well as the potential for life sentences leading to juveniles never receiving a second shot at life.