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Aftercare as Afterthought: Reentry and the California Youth Authority

NCJ Number
202626
Author(s)
Michele Byrnes; Daniel Macallair M.P.A; Andrea D. Shorter
Date Published
August 2002
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This report examines the importance of reentry and aftercare programs for juveniles and specifically evaluates the current reentry process for youths released from the California Youth Authority (CYA).
Abstract
In recent years, policymakers and legislators have increasingly turned their attention to the challenges faced by juveniles released from detention facilities. In California, over 2,000 youth are released each year; and the youths released from the CYA represent the most serious youthful offenders in the State. Upon release, youths face extraordinary challenges that typically overburdened and underfunded correctional agencies are ill-equipped to handle. As such, reform efforts have been underway across the country to improve reentry and aftercare programs for the Nation’s youthful offenders. Following a description of the problem and the scope and methodology of the current study, the authors offer data on CYA’s population characteristics and their implications. Barriers to the successful reentry to these youth back into their communities are outlined and include a lack of educational options and a lack of housing options. The current state of the CYA reentry and aftercare programs are reviewed, including the educational services, bilingual services, programs dealing with mental health, substance abuse, and sex offenses. The authors offer recommendations concerning case management, the creation of additional community-based treatment and supervision for CYA wards, and the expansion of community corrections sanctions. Five model programs and four promising programs are described. Future research should focus on the particular needs of girls and young women within the CYA. Notes, bibliography, appendix