- 1). Expand available post-release programs for juvenile offenders. Juveniles who are incarcerated or detained away from the community for even a fairly short time face challenges reintegrating. Indeed, juvenile offenders tend to have a tenuous connection with their families and communities before being sentenced to a term of detention. Incarceration only magnifies the disconnect.
- 2). Develop more community-based programs for juvenile offenders in lieu of detention. One of the objectives of the juvenile court system is to place a juvenile in the least restrictive environment following an adjudication for an offense. The problem is that the number of available programs in many communities is limited, requiring the placement of a juvenile in a detention facility.
- 3). Increase the number of educational and job training programs available to young people within the juvenile justice system. The typical juvenile offender lacks a solid academic background and possesses little to no work skills or experience. By enhancing the availability of education and job training options (both within detention facilities and in the community at large), juveniles experience a better chance of improving their lot in life
- 4). Utilize more dual treatment programs and facilities for juvenile offenders (both in and out of detention facilities). Many communities provide decent access to mental health as well as addiction treatment for youthful offenders. However, there is a dearth of programs that address a dual diagnosis of both mental health and addiction issues.
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