Unit VIII: The Future of Juvenile Justice

Little John: A Juvenile’s Story You are now entering your last unit of this course in which we will explore the future of juvenile justice. Before we begin, let’s find out how Little John is doing. Watch the video linked below: https://online.columbiasouthern.edu/csu_con tent/courses/emergency_services/bcj/bcj220 1/15K/video/unitviii_video.mp4 Click here to access the transcript for this video.

The Future of Juvenile Justice Identifying the future means exploring how the 21st century has changed and will continue to change the juvenile justice system. One way in which juvenile justice will change is in the field of technology. (jarmoluk, 2014)

The Future of Juvenile Justice Advances in technology hold the promise of improving the juvenile justice system in new and dramatic ways (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention [OJJDP], 1997). With the use of technology, the cost of educating juvenile delinquents while housed at juvenile correctional facilities could become cost-efficient for statewide juvenile justice programs. (FirmBee, 2014)

Education Services Most agencies are searching for innovative ways to save money because of restricted budgets. “A growing number of corrections agencies and their education partners are exploring ways to securely and cost- effectively increase access to educational technology” (Tolbert, Hudson, & Erwin, 2015, pp. 1-2).

Education Services Statewide agencies can offer online high school education tools to more juvenile delinquents. “Advanced technologies could provide the means to expand correctional education services—to reach more students and to offer broader, more diverse curriculum—thereby further lowering recidivism rates” (Tolbert et al., 2015, p. 2). (jill111, 2015)

Electronic Monitoring In addition to education, some police departments have begun to utilize electronic monitoring of juvenile offenders. The Fort Myers Police Department (n.d.) created a Juvenile Arrest and Monitoring Unit (J.A.M.) and began monitoring about fourteen youths.

Electronic Monitoring This action was taken after the city had experienced a significant increase in juvenile firearm offenses. The police department reported a reduction in recidivism rates (Fort Myers Police Department, n.d). (Tumisu, 2014)

Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Online Technology Michigan also began to utilize technology; however, it was to monitor abused, neglected, and delinquent youths while they were in the welfare and juvenile justice system. With the creation of Michigan’s Juvenile Justice Online Technology (JJOLT), the state basically built a depository for juvenile information (“Michigan’s Juvenile Justice,” n.d.). It automated case management and included planning, monitoring, assessment, screening, and billing. It was later expanded to include information from the courts, prosecutors, and other private service providers (“Michigan’s Juvenile Justice,” n.d.).

Positive Youth Justice In addition to technology, the future of juvenile justice will rely on promising initiatives. One of these is Positive Youth Development (PYD). PYD is a method whereby youths are provided with opportunities to effect an increase in their leadership skills.

Trauma-Informed Care Another program that may be very important in the future is Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). Trauma is common for many juveniles; however, the current system does not adequately address this issue. The Justice Policy Institute has made recommendations to outline trauma-informed case models in order to improve responses for juveniles who have experienced trauma.

Trauma-Informed Care The Justice Policy Institute (Adams, 2010) makes these recommendations: Improve understanding of trauma Improve reporting of trauma Improve screening for trauma Improve assessment of trauma Offer early intervention programs Consider trauma when deciding sentencing

Evening Reporting Centers Detention reduction strategies, such as evening reporting centers (ERC), will also be a focus in the future. ERCs are locations a juvenile reports to on a regular basis. They are designed to provide a safe, stable location in the after-school hours. The ERC may provide a variety of services and opportunities to include academic assistance, life-skills training, enrichment activities, and community service.

Restorative Justice Restorative justice will also be part of the future of juvenile justice. This concept “is concerned with the broader relationship between offender, victim, and community and give priority to repairing the damage or harm done to victims and victimized communities” (OJJDP, 1997, p. 16). (OJJDP, 1997)

Restorative Justice (Cont.) Learn more about restorative justice in the following guide: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (n.d.). Guide for implementing the balanced and restorative justice model. Retrieved from http://www.ojjdp.gov/pubs/implementing/balanced.html

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Treatment is very important when discussing the future of juvenile justice. One treatment modality, cognitive behavioral therapy, has been proven to reduce recidivism in juveniles. This modality is also used to treat adults and attempts to “restructure distorted thinking and perception, which in turn changes a person’s behavior for the better” (Clark, 2010, para. 10). (geralt, 2014)

References Adams, E. J. (2010). Healing invisible wounds: Why investing in trauma-informed care for children makes sense. Retrieved from http://www.justicepolicy.org/images/upload/10-07_REP_HealingInvisibleWounds_JJ-PS.pdf Clark, P. (2010, April). Preventing future crime with cognitive behavioral therapy. NIJ Journal, 265. Retrieved from http://www.nij.gov/journals/265/pages/therapy.aspx FirmBee. (2014). Ipad and computer [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/ipad-macbook-tablet-computer-606764/ Fort Myers Police Department. (n.d.). Juvenile Arrest and Monitoring Unit (J.A.M.) “Keeping an Eye on Young Criminals.” Retrieved from http://www.popcenter.org/library/awards/goldstein/2006/06-11.pdf geralt. (2014). Road sign question [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/consulting-road-sign-question-mark-541439/

References jarmoluk. (2014). Child with gun [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/weapon-violence-children-child-424772/ jill111. (2015). Stack of vintage books [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/stack-of-books-vintage-books-book-1001655/ Michigan’s juvenile justice online technology: A system of care for child welfare and juvenile justice. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.famcare.net/Portals/0/Documents/State_of_MI.pdf Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (1997). Balanced and restorative justice for juveniles: A framework for juvenile justice in the 21st century. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/framwork.pdf Tolbert, M., Hudson, J., & Erwin, H. E. (2015). Educational technology in corrections 2015. Retrieved from https://www.edpubs.gov/document/ed005580p.pdf Tumisu. (2014). Navigation symbols on map [Image]. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/map-location-navigation-symbol-525349/