NCJ Number
185174
Editor(s)
Natalie Jaffe
Date Published
2000
Length
47 pages
Annotation
The modern juvenile justice system is one of diversion, rehabilitation, punishment, and incapacitation, and positive youth development (PYD) must be understood within the context of the complex history of the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
If PYD is to mean anything, it must be an inherent part of all decision points in the juvenile justice system. PYD should also affect the way in which the juvenile justice system makes judgments about who is no longer eligible for its benefits. Critical decision points in the juvenile justice system are diversion, referral, intake, detention, transfer, adjudication, disposition, and release. Obstacles to introducing PYD to juvenile justice are examined that relate to the confused mission of the juvenile justice system, juvenile justice personnel who are not enthusiastic about their jobs, unclear measures of success, historical reliance on the medical model, risk assessment, language difficulties, poor institutional conditions, confused professional roles, and children with disabilities. Examples of juvenile justice programs that implemented a sound PYD philosophy are provided in the fields of education, health care, aftercare, and independent living. 58 references and 15 endnotes