Correction Programs for Juvenile Offenders

Without consideration to the manner in which they got themselves into the juvenile justice systems, many youth today find themselves on a path that directs them to secure custody without a definite way of moving out. It is not a lie to say that there are certain routes that can be made available- addiction services, mental health, or generally services that will help these youth mature into adulthood (Greenwood 196). For a long time now, research being conducted by various players has shown that incarcerations that are post-adjudicated in nature together with detentions made pre-trial have numerous negative effects on the ability of a youth to adjust back to normal life. Youth prisons have been depicted as ineffective, dangerous and unnecessary. On the other hand, supervision programs for youth that are community based are considered to be less costly compared to confinements.

They have a day treatment program that gives youth the freedom to attend the program daily from home. This program has its own personal model for growth aimed at improving the lives of youths who are troubled through combining education, behavior and treatment in an approach that is more unified. The youth undergoing this program are always referred through school districts or agencies of juvenile justice (English 78). The length of taking part in the program varies from a minimum of four months to a maximum of six months. ii. The operation operates more than sixty home and juvenile site programs which include- detention alternatives, supervision that is community based prevention of truancy; substance abuse and mental health initiatives, programs for youth who commit offences that are status in nature together with offering shelters that are safe for immigrant children (Greenwood 205).

Conclusion Supervision programs that are community based help greatly in saving of cost compared to residential facilities. Apart from just saving cost, these programs that are community based lead to the realization of far better results for public safety and the youth; youth under the care and watch of the community remain connected to family, schools and other community based supports that are crucial to their success in future (Patricia & John 624). Various jurisdictions and states all across the country are struggling with the problem of budgeting. And one avenue for policymakers to exploit is to cut significantly the spending on youth incarceration and invest more on supervision programs that are community based. “community alternatives to institutional care. ” The American journal of psychiatry (1996).