(Final Copy)The Benefit of Aftercare Programs

Running head: Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism

Juvenile Justice:

Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism

Sam Brandt

Miller-Motte College, Wilmington Campus

CJ210 Juvenile Justice

Dr. Ame Frey

September 14th, 2016


Youth have been committing more crimes than years before. Now that there are more

programs and opportunities for the youth, the benefits can be seen. The programs are more

complex and can target a variety of different youthful offenders. These programs are important

to successfully helping the youth offenders rehabilitate and to not reoffend. This research will

address what aftercare programs entail, factors that are considered in programs, types of aftercare

programs, benefits of aftercare programs, importance of aftercare, and a summary of the

findings.

Aftercare utilizes a number of programs to help aid youth. Some of programs include

halfway houses, employment help, counseling, and medical treatment (Merlo, Benekos, &

Champion, 2016). Programs are also designed to help the youth after their time is up with

residential placement (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).

There are various elements that are considered for juveniles to successfully return to the

community and complete reentry programs. The first element is assessing the risk of each

juvenile’s potential to reoffend, their needs, and their strengths (Altschuler & Bilchik, 2014).

The second element requires investigation of looking into behavioral involvements. Another

element is determining the family’s commitment to help the juvenile (Altschuler & Bilchik,

2014). Towards the end of the program, discharge readiness will need to be examined, followed

by then developing a plan for the juvenile to follow once released from the program (Altschuler

& Bilchik, 2014).

Two factors that are addressed with the youth are the protective and risk factors. The risk

can be classified as anything that would escalate the person to undergo some sort of harm. A

protective factor would be something that lessens the possibility of a risk factor taking place

(U.S. Government , n.d.). Some possible fields to protective and risk factors that influence the

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youth are community, peers and schools. Individual risk factors of youth can be hyperactivity,

poverty and low cognitive development. Positive protective factors could be good IQ, religion

and a desire to please elders (U.S. Government , n.d.).

One option and type of aftercare program is foster homes. These homes are meant for

youth to be there temporarily for control and guidance purposes. When the youth are placed in a

foster home it does not necessarily mean they are law violators. The youth that are placed in

foster homes could be placed there simply because the parents are found to be unable to properly

care for their child. Placing a child in a foster home gives the child the opportunity to be in a

stable environment. Foster homes are used quite frequently; in 2012, there were 400,000 youth

in foster homes. Most of the time the youth that are placed in foster homes are there because of

minor offenses (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).

Another aftercare option is shelter care. Shelter care helps create a home-based setting to

host youth over a short period of time. The staff provide for the youth anywhere from a couple

hours a day to multiple weeks. Shelter care facilities can be located in suburban housing areas

and look like normal houses. These facilities do not have any special characteristics that

differentiate them from other places, such as signs. Primarily the focus of shelter care is only

used for youth that are status offenders (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).

One alternative for a judge to place a youth offender in is group homes. Group homes

can be either private or public and are community based. In group homes, residents and

counselors presume the duty of acting as parents to groups ranging from 10 to 20 youth (Merlo,

Benekos, & Champion, 2016). Specific group homes are called family group homes because

they are family controlled. When alternatives are being considered for the youth to be placed in

a group home is a popular choice. They offer treatment and guidance for youth. As of 2010,

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according to a biannual census taken on residential facilities, there were 528 group homes. A

requirement of group homes is that the youth take part in an educational program, go to school,

follow a curfew, and go to therapy or get medical treatment (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion,

2016).

Halfway houses are also available to the youth. The halfway houses assist the youth in

transition from a secure facility they were in to being back in the community. While at the

halfway houses, the youth develop plans for living independently. One example of a halfway

house is called the Abraxas House in Staunton, Virginia. At the Abraxas house, there are

programs for the youth to learn about living skills, community services, and character

development (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).

There are many other programs that can be beneficial to the youth, such as wilderness

projects, ranches, camps, and skill programs. These types of programs cost less than regular

programs. In 2010 wilderness camps and ranches accounted for 3% of youth facilities. Rawhide

Boys Ranch is an experience program located in Wisconsin. One unique value is that it is a faith

based program. Private and public agencies can make recommendations for you to go here.

Some focus points of Rawhide Boys Ranch are case management, social services, educational

development, employment training, and foster care services (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion,

2016).

Aftercare programs provide a variety of different benefits. When aftercare programs are

utilized overcrowding is cut down. Additionally, youth improve their chance of fully completing

rehabilitation. Aftercare also helps to discourage youth from offending in the future (Merlo,

Benekos, & Champion, 2016).

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It is important to give the youth an opportunity to be in aftercare. When youth are in

aftercare programs it aids in giving youth an encouraging environment as well as improves the

overall public safety. If youth are taken into an institutional setting, this can hinder the youth

from growing in skills necessary upon release. When youth return home from incarceration they

are 75 percent more likely to reoffend within three years (JJIE, 2016).

In conclusion there are a variety of different programs available for youth instead of

confinement. I believe youth of nonviolent crimes should be directed into some type of aftercare

program. The programs not only give the youth a positive environment to succeed in but also

help in planning after they complete the program. Opportunities for youth are far greater than

just putting them in confinement. Once youth are in the program they learn new skills, receive

an education or vocational schooling, and improve behavior. When giving youth value and

purpose in life we will increase their want to succeed in society. If we want to see the change in

a generation then we must be leaders, role models, and advocates of the change.

References

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Altschuler, D., & Bilchik, S. (2014). Critical Elements of Juvenile Reentry in Research and

Practice. Retrieved 8 23, 2016, from Justice Center:

https://csgjusticecenter.org/youth/posts/critical-elements-of-juvenile-reentry-in-research-

and-practice/

JJIE. (2016). Why are Re-entry and Aftercare Important? Retrieved 9 1, 2016, from YIPA:

http://jjie.org/hub/reentry/key-issues/

Merlo, A. V., Benekos, P. J., & Champion, D. J. (2016). The Juvenile Justice System (Vol. 8).

(A. Gilfillan, Ed.) New York, New York.

U.S. Government . (n.d.). Risk & Protective Factors. Retrieved 8 29, 2016, from Youth.Gov:

http://youth.gov/youth-topics/juvenile-justice/risk-and-protective-factors

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