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Reconnecting: The Role of the Juvenile Court in Reentry

NCJ Number
215043
Date Published
2002
Length
58 pages
Annotation
This is a guide for planning, implementing, and operating a juvenile reentry court, whose purpose is to manage the reintegration of high-risk juvenile offenders into the community after their release from secure confinement or other out-of-home placement.
Abstract
The model for the juvenile reentry court is expected to increase public safety through intensive supervision and service delivery to young offenders returning to their communities. Such case management aims to reduce individual offense rates and increase the youth's life skills and abilities in employment and education. The structure for services involves increased interagency and cross-disciplinary cooperation; professional education and training; and the involvement of community representatives, including faith-based groups. This guide outlines steps in the planning process for a juvenile reentry court. A multiagency planning team should include representatives of the juvenile court, prosecution, the defense bar, law enforcement, juvenile corrections, social services, probation, mental health, health care, vocational and academic education, youth employment agencies, and the business and faith communities. This planning team will assess the nature and scope of the reintegration of juvenile offenders and the community's need for a reentry court. The team will then develop and disseminate a Reentry Court Action Plan that includes a vision and mission statement. Other planning tasks include the adoption of court goals and objectives, identification of the target population and development of eligibility criteria, a review of available programs and services, identification of core staff and service providers, development of policies and procedures for court operation, creation of a design for a management information system, and the establishment of a structure for interagency cooperation. 44 references and appended State law that governs the judicial role in reentry