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Alternative to Detention for Juvenile Parole Violators

NCJ Number
164673
Journal
Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: (Fall 1996) Pages: 73-76
Author(s)
T M Monroe
Date Published
1996
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A public-private partnership in Ingham County (Mich.) has provided the local juvenile court with a less expensive and more effective alternative to secure detention for juvenile parole violators.
Abstract
The Ingham County Youth Home has 28 beds and has consistently exceeded its capacity for years. County officials decided to study the possibility of developing community-based services instead of increasing the Home's capacity to address the needs of juveniles before secure detention alternatives were necessary. Highfields, a nonprofit agency providing a wide range of services, initiated a partnership with the juvenile court that became the Youth Attention Program. The Youth Attention Program is a structured 5-day program located in a rural area that combines experiential exercise, behavior contracting, group treatment, work experiences, community services, parent groups, a speakers' night using community resource people, and journal writing. Youth assigned to the program wear identical uniforms and are responsible for the care of their living environment and for meal preparation. The program begins with a probation violation hearing. Highfields staff, youths, their parents, and the probation officer develop a service plan as an initial contract. Thirty-nine sessions have been held, and 16 percent of the youths have repeated the program after failing probation again. The program has been a successful partnership among the county government, the court, a local private agency, and community volunteers. The county will use another 26 weeks of the service for 1997.