NCJ Number
215645
Date Published
2002
Length
59 pages
Annotation
This report presents several articles/essays highlighting innovative gender specific programs currently being implemented for female offenders in the State of Florida.
Abstract
Recommendations in this report offer specific programming to meet the needs of this increased population of female offenders in the Florida juvenile justice system: (1) implement additional gender-specific requirements in provider contracts; (2) improve gender-specific counseling in life skills education; (3) establish more intervention and prevention programs in high-risk neighborhoods and for girls in at-risk schools; (4) provide safe alternatives to running away; (5) recommend same-sex probation officers; (6) investigate the high rate of abuse in foster homes; (6) equalize length of wait to placement between girls and boys; (7) provide additional mentoring opportunities; (8) establish free workshops on parenting skills for the parents of girls in detention; (9) expand residential facilities for delinquent pregnant girls that teach vocational and parenting skills; (10) create a residential program placement planning committee; and (11) increase funding to research programs for girls in the juvenile justice system. To improve the trend increase in the number of girls referred to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice over the past 5 years, gender-specific programming is one solution that has been offered and proven effective when implemented. Educating and counseling girls will address the roots of their problems, thereby lowering the numbers of repeat offenders and giving girls a new chance at a better life. Appendix