NCJ Number
215907
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 68 Issue: 5 Dated: August 2006 Pages: 70-73
Date Published
August 2006
Length
4 pages
Annotation
For the past 6 years, the Minnesota Department of Corrections has partnered with AMICUS (a nonprofit agency) and a juvenile residential placement facility to provide RADIUS, a gender-responsive program for serious and habitual female juvenile offenders.
Abstract
RADIUS blends the philosophies of restorative justice with the best practices of gender-responsive programming for girls under 18 years old. Restorative services are provided to girls while they are in residential placement, during their transition and furlough, and after release. The key program components are restorative justice "circles" and grief and trauma counseling. In "circles," significant people in a girl's life meet in the girl's home community to discuss the girl's needs, her past, and her future. The "circle" provides a safe space for expressing support, discussing difficult issues, understanding family dynamics, and planning for the future. The girls are encouraged to include their probation officer, county caseworker, and social service providers as participants and support people in their circles. Girls also participate in a weekly "girls group" with a trained trauma counselor. Issues addressed are past victimization, abuse, and other issues such as relationships, self-esteem, personal safety, and coping skills. Intensive individual trauma counseling is also provided to each girl.