Restoration Justice

Corrections for juveniles differs vastly from adult corrections.

Corrections for juveniles today is quite different than it was in the past, as young offenders are punished for their crimes through a variety of options.

Today, there are more options for correcting juvenile offenders than just locking them up for a good portion of their young lives. While prison sentences are still an active part of the juvenile justice system, there are a few other options which are being actively employed to not only punish juvenile offenders, but hopefully allow them to recover, heal, and grow so they do not commit further crimes in the future.

Juvenile Jails and Prisons

There are still some kids who will find themselves locked up in a juvenile jail or prison setting every year. The environment inside these jails has become very similar to adult jails with inmates aligning themselves with different gangs and seeking protection in groups.

These jails are scary places for the first-time offender, but for the most part those without a previous criminal record and who have been charged with minor crimes will be spared prison time with some of the following alternatives used instead. This saves space in the prisons for juveniles who have committed multiple or extremely serious crimes.

Adult Jails and Prisons

Some juveniles today are being transferred to the adult correctional system so they can be tried as adults. They will typically remain in the juvenile prison system after being sentenced, but because they were processed as adults they often do not have access to alternative programs geared specifically for juvenile offenders.

Boot Camps or Outdoor Programs

As an alternative to actual jail time, some juvenile offenders receive corrections through boot camps or outdoor wilderness camps. These outdoor environments are intended to keep them away from society while forcing them into an outdoor setting where intense therapy and mental stimulation can occur.

These camps have been able to reach some young offenders who would not respond to time in a typical juvenile jail. The experience can improve self-esteem and get to the root of some personal problems that originally led to criminal offenses by some offenders.

Restorative Justice Programs

There are some other forms of restorative justice programs which are used more heavily in juvenile justice systems than adult corrections systems. The programs may include orders to pay restitution or work within the community to some capacity.

Some juveniles may also be a part of panel meetings or even face-to-face meetings with the victims of their crimes. This allows them to take full responsibility for their crime and see firsthand how their crimes have affected others. This often is the personal touch that some juvenile offenders need to straighten up.

Out-Of-Home Placements

Some juveniles are placed into alternative environments because their home environments are considered too risky or unsuitable for the juvenile’s safety and/or well being. An example of this is an abused teenager who is placed into the foster care system or a young child addicted to drugs who is sentenced into a residential treatment facility instead of or in addition to jail time.

These placements do not mean that a juvenile offender is not required to pay for their crimes. Some juveniles who receive these placements were picked up for running away or other things that aren’t necessarily recognized as punishable crimes. Instead of jail time the court system tries to solve their problems and give them a suitable environment where they will have a more stable environment.