NCJ Number
157511
Journal
Perspectives Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1995) Pages: 24-29,32-35
Date Published
1995
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The aftercare phase of juvenile corrections has long been regarded a major weakness in the juvenile justice system; inadequate aftercare is reflected in high reoffending levels among a significant number of juvenile parolees who have been transitioned from correctional confinement back into the community.
Abstract
Certain problems have been associated with the juvenile justice system's attempts to reintegrate previously confined youth back into the community. These problems include poor adjustment by juvenile parolees in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods and in the workplace; high levels of recontact with the juvenile justice system; and unacceptable reincarceration rates. Some argue that certain juvenile offenders are treatment resistant, are largely doomed to failure, and can be expected to graduate into the adult correctional system. Others contend that severely delinquent youth return to the same highly crimogenic environment from which they came prior to confinement and that quality of life and economic changes must be made to improve the chances of successful reintegration. Intensive aftercare has been suggested as a way of improving noncustodial correctional alternatives for juveniles. Innovations in aftercare include the involvement of private agencies and noncorrectional public agencies in the community corrections process, the adoption of a new approach by community corrections agencies that stresses resource brokerage and advocacy rather than the direct delivery of all services to juvenile offenders, and a case management approach that incorporates service continuity and communication between all involved agencies. The Juvenile Aftercare Programming Initiative of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and its implementation in Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, and Virginia are described. 17 references and 2 figures