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Three Innovative Court-Involved Reentry Programs

NCJ Number
210156
Date Published
2004
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This bulletin profiles juvenile reentry efforts in three jurisdictions in which local juvenile courts and probation departments have taken charge of reentry plans and their implementation.
Abstract
Since 1997 Allegheny County (Pittsburgh), PA, has required that all juveniles returning to the county from residential placements receive a minimum of 90 days of aftercare supervision, delivered through existing day treatment reporting programs. The sites are operated directly by the court or by The Academy, a local private day treatment provider regularly used by the court. The West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services Reentry Court Program began as a three-county reentry court pilot project launched in June 2000. Local courts provide oversight of reentry through monthly court hearings to review progress and enforce conditions. The Division of Juvenile Services provides enhanced supervision and case management for returning "high-risk" juveniles. In Marion County (Indianapolis), IN, the Reentry Initiative began operating in the late summer of 2003 and is still in the early stages of implementation. Similar to the reentry courts in West Virginia, it is a State-local planning and supervision partnership, with a juvenile reentry court providing frequent oversight/enforcement hearings. A key role is given to a nonprofit managed care contractor, which provides all case-management services. For all three programs, this bulletin discusses the targeting of aftercare resources, transition planning and preparation, oversight authority upon release, the management during high-risk periods, services and supports, sanctions and rewards, and integration with the community. 12 notes