NCJ Number
197852
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2002 Pages: 403-432
Date Published
2002
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This article details the planning, implementation, and outcomes assessment of a criminal justice course with 12 college students and 12 incarcerated juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Rowan University, together with New Jersey’s Juvenile Justice Commission, paired 12 undergraduate students with 12 incarcerated juvenile offenders in a course on Restorative Justice. The purpose of the course was to introduce juvenile offenders to college life and to enhance the tolerance and critical thinking skills of the undergraduate students. The author discusses the planning, implementation, and assessment of the course. The planning of the course integrated the key goal of showing juvenile offenders that they could assimilate into college life. The intent was that these juvenile offenders would seek to attend college after their incarceration. Implementation included debriefing the participating youth, teachers, and staff about the purpose of the course. A pre-test was administered at the first class meeting, while a post-test was given after the course had concluded. Questions related to teenage violence, self-esteem, hopelessness, and views about school and criminal justice. Outcomes of the course suggest that the Rowan undergraduates became less punitive, more open-minded, more focused on career, and more accepting of juvenile offenders after completing the course. The juvenile offenders in the course reported feeling more comfortable in a college environment and less anxious about college and society in general. The author concludes that the course broke down stereotypes for both sets of youths. References, appendix