NCJ Number
138685
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The role of careworkers and other institutional staff in preparing a juvenile for return to the community following detention are identified and described.
Abstract
Staff are involved in three major phases of assistance to the juvenile returning to the community: the intake process, programming, and preparation for release. Within each of these phases, institutional staff focus on the juvenile's feelings, emotions, motivation, fears, and anxieties; preparation in terms of the individualized program plan goals, achievement opportunities, counseling, skill learning, and guidance; and, finally, placement which involves planning, community and family linkages, communication, and placement coordination. During the transition phase, home visits usually begin to increase. A placement may be suspended if a juvenile absconds or violates home visit rules. In such instances, another personalized goal and plan is developed in response to problems apparent during placement. Halfway houses are used by some corrections systems to facilitate the gradual return of juvenile offenders to the community. Tasks of an aftercare officer, whose role is to guide and help the newly released juvenile adjust to living in the community, are identified.