NCJ Number
241481
Date Published
April 2012
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This monograph provides Pennsylvania juvenile justice stakeholders with information on how daily practices can be improved in order to achieve better juvenile justice outcomes.
Abstract
This is done by explaining the features and implementation steps of Pennsylvania's Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES). JJSES aims to apply the best-known research to the principles and goals of a balanced and restorative justice (BARJ) mission. The BARJ effort has resulted in many improvements in juvenile justice procedures, including, but not limited to, a greater emphasis on the needs of crime victims, community participation in addressing the consequences of delinquency, and a readiness to determine how the justice system could cooperate with others to repair the harms caused by crime. In aiding this effort, the JJSES uses actuarial assessment tools, cognitive behavioral interventions, and performance measures to make incremental improvements, addressing not only the offender but the entire family. This effort is supported by providing juvenile justice stakeholders with training, technical assistance, literature, Web-based support documents, and overall guidance. This monograph presents the JJSES in four stages. "Stage One: Readiness" involves an introduction to evidence-based-programming (EBP) training, organizational readiness, cost-benefit analysis, and stakeholder engagement. "Stage Two: Initiation" addresses motivational interviewing, structured decisionmaking, detention risk assessment instruments, the Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2, the Youth Level of Service/Case Management Inventory, inter-rater reliability, and case-plan development. "Stage Three: Behavioral Change" focuses on skill-building and tools; cognitive behavioral interventions; responsivity; evidence-based programming and interventions; the Standardized Program Evaluation Protocol; service provider alignment; and graduated responses. "Stage Four: Refinement" consists of policy alignment, performance measures, and EBP service contracts. The monograph concludes with an outline of key JJSES building blocks. These are delinquency prevention, diversion, family involvement, data-driven decisionmaking, training, technical assistance, continuous quality improvement, and an evolving future. Approximately 50 references