NCJ Number
207588
Journal
Journal of Correctional Education Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 211-224
Date Published
September 2004
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article describes a California program, Project JOCREST, that is touted as a model of substance abuse treatment for ethnic minority juvenile offenders who are re-entering the community after the institutional phase of treatment.
Abstract
Prior to describing Project JOCREST, the article briefly discusses the link between substance abuse and crime; the prevalence of substance abuse among those entering the juvenile justice system; the interactions among juvenile delinquency, gangs, drug dealing, and drug use; the disproportionate confinement of minority youth; the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment and obstacles to it in the juvenile justice system; and reentry substance abuse treatment for juvenile offenders. The description of California's Project JOCREST notes its focus on the unmet need for substance abuse treatment for juvenile offenders (ages 14-18) after they leave correctional facilities. The reentry plan involves three phases: at lease one individual and one family session 1 month prior to release to discuss treatment expectations after release and determine the best location for treatment sessions in the community; intensive individual and family counseling that begins immediately after release and continues for several months; and conclusion of the community-based treatment process and provision of long-term support needed to maintain the gains made in treatment. Each of these phases is described in detail, with attention to efforts to tailor the treatment services to age, race, gender, language, sexual orientation, and disability. 34 references