Mack McGhee, MA’s Post

Criminal justice system involved youth have a very high recidivism rate and re-entry programs are SEVERELY underdeveloped in most juvenile justice systems (Sherman & Jacobs, 2011).  It is very interesting to see what is going on in Maryland right now. For those on you who are “boots on the ground” for these youth, a quick search returned 204 potential grants! Contact me to see how we can get your organization funded so you can get these kids off the incarceration merry-go-round. References Sherman, F. T., & Jacobs, F. (2011). Juvenile justice : advancing research, policy, and practice. Wiley. https://lnkd.in/ghS7Seaz

🌟 Transforming Juvenile Justice with Restorative Practices 🌟 In our ongoing efforts to enhance the juvenile justice system, it’s crucial to spotlight the powerful impact of Restorative Justice. This approach is not just about managing behavior—it’s about fostering understanding, healing, and positive change. 🔄 What is Restorative Justice? Restorative Justice is an approach that focuses on the needs of the victims, the offenders, and the involved community. Instead of prioritizing punishment, it seeks to repair harm by encouraging accountability and healing. 💡 Benefits of Restorative Justice in Juvenile Justice: 1. Reduces Recidivism: Studies show that juveniles who participate in restorative programs are less likely to continue down a path of delinquency. 2. Heals Communities: By involving community members in the healing process, restorative justice strengthens ties and enhances communal support. 3. Empowers Victims: It gives victims a voice, an opportunity to be heard, and a chance to contribute to the resolution of their harm. 4. Encourages Accountability: Offenders understand the impact of their actions, encouraging deeper personal responsibility. 5. Supports Positive Outcomes: It promotes rehabilitation and reintegration rather than stigmatization and alienation. 🤝 As we continue to advocate for a more just and equitable society, integrating Restorative Justice within our juvenile systems presents a path forward that builds stronger communities and fosters resilience among our youth. Let’s commit to understanding and promoting practices that support not just punishment, but rehabilitation and reconciliation. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of many young individuals. #JuvenileJustice #RestorativeJustice #CommunityHealing #LegalReform

Maximizing the Moment in Juvenile Justice Reform: Be an Agent of Change In the ever-evolving landscape of juvenile justice, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. This is a time ripe for transformative change, where the actions we take today can yield profound outcomes that benefit not just individual youths, but entire families and communities. As professionals in the field, it is our responsibility to seize this opportunity with both hands. By championing innovative approaches and evidence-based practices, we can reshape the system to be more just, equitable, and supportive of the young people it serves. Let’s focus on holistic solutions that address the root causes of juvenile delinquency and prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Collaboration across systems—education, mental health, social services, and law enforcement—is essential to create a supportive network that fosters growth and resilience. Being an agent of change means advocating for policies that promote restorative justice, investing in community-based programs, and ensuring that every young person has access to the resources they need to thrive. It also means listening to the voices of those most affected by the system—youths, their families, and communities—and incorporating their insights into our reforms. Together, we can create a juvenile justice system that not only corrects but also nurtures. Let’s maximize this moment to produce outcomes that uplift families and strengthen communities. The future of our youth depends on the actions we take today. #JuvenileJusticeReform #AgentOfChange #CommunityImpact #RestorativeJustice #YouthEmpowerment

The Changing Landscape of Juvenile Detention: A Post-Pandemic Reality The post-pandemic environment has reshaped juvenile detention in profound ways. Youth are no longer cycling in and out of detention in 21 days; instead, many are staying for months, and in some cases, even years. This reality brings a critical obligation for leaders to step up and view this as an opportunity—not simply to detain but to serve as a bridge to meaningful support, fostering the best outcomes and future orientation for these young individuals. When youth touch the system, it is our duty to assess their needs holistically, ensuring that their experience is rare, fair, and ultimately beneficial. We can no longer be satisfied with traditional detention where our only focus is waiting until the next court date. In today’s society, where racial and ethnic disparities remain pervasive, failing to adopt this approach is a disservice to the field, the youth, and their communities. Youth are not “at risk”; they are “at promise.” With extended stays, the importance of trauma-informed care and treatment cannot be overstated. Many youth arrive with a history of trauma that influences their behavior and well-being. A trauma-informed approach not only supports healing but also builds resilience, helping young people find healthy ways to cope and thrive. Their needs guide us in making necessary mid-course corrections, embracing trial and error to propel juvenile justice reform forward. Let’s commit to being part of a system that not only holds youth accountable but also builds them up, addressing the complex factors in their lives so that their future holds more promise than their past. We must serve them fully, with the understanding that we are shaping lives, not just waiting for the next court date. Willie Fullilove Mark Hamlett Lashaun Jones Dontá Smith Keisha Isaacs Antonia Reason Carol Cramer Brooks Lester Young Richard Gentry Douglas White, M.A. Deon Ruben Indu Tyson-Wilson, MA Quiotis Fletcher, M.S, M.A #JuvenileJusticeReform #TraumaInformedCare #FutureLeaders #YouthDevelopment #JusticeForAll #YouthEmpowerment #RethinkDetention #BreakingTheCycle #RestorativeJustice #PositiveYouthDevelopment #HopeAndHealing

Did you know that the juvenile justice system plays a crucial role in shaping the future of young offenders? By implementing reforms and improvements, we can address the root causes of delinquency and create better outcomes for our youth. From alternative rehabilitation programs to restorative justice practices, there are various solutions to explore. Let's work together to advocate for a system that prioritizes rehabilitation and support for young offenders. Join the conversation and be a part of positive change! #transformativejustice #youthempowerment #socialchange #socialjustice #madewithpredisai

This webinar brings together experts from the fields of restorative and juvenile justice to review the current state of research and use of restorative justice practices and credible messengers with youth at risk for or involved with the juvenile justice system. As jurisdictions seek to address growing concerns about youth crime and violence, there is increased interest in adopting innovative programs and practices that can hold youth accountable for their behavior while also improving public safety and youth outcomes such as education and behavioral health. Simultaneously, the fact that many locales are struggling with unprecedented staffing challenges within their public agencies and private service providers has increased the urgency to identify creative, effective interventions that are less staff and cost intensive. To this end, the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute conducted a comprehensive review of rigorous research-including over 30 research studies from 2000 to 2023-on restorative justice and credible messenger practices, two types of grassroots interventions that are growing in popularity and have shown promising outcomes for youth, victims, and communities. This webinar will include information from a brief about this research and lift up promising programs from across the country.

"87% of juvenile offenders released from state-operated facilities are rearrested within three years." (worldmetric.org) After having an amazing meeting with a Hamilton County (OH) agency director, Coach Mike D.A. was galvanized to do some more research on juvenile recidivism. From his own past experience, he knew things were bad, however the stats were mind-blowing: • Approximately 75% of juvenile offenders released from detention facilities are rearrested within three years. • One study found that 45% of juvenile offenders were rearrested within 12 months. • Juveniles with prior court referrals are 77% more likely to be rearrested. and list goes on. There's an obvious disconnect going on in youth and young adult programming which is not just an issue of staffing. Visit our website to learn more about one of our credible solutions.

Our research into youth justice practices can help policymakers address concerns such as the staffing crisis in the juvenile justice system. Use our fact sheets to improve hiring & retention in your state: https://bit.ly/3yu1QTY

Relink.org would like to share an article from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention titled, "Age Boundaries of the Juvenile Justice System". This article speaks to the evolution of the Juvenile Justice System over time, as well as the age boundaries past and present. An excerpt from the article: "The review provides definitions of juveniles, delinquency, status offenses, and other related terms; gives a summary of the lower and upper age limits in the United States; describes common exceptions based on mitigating circumstances or transfer laws; and presents a national perspective on data trends with respect to age in the juvenile justice system." Here is a link to the article: https://buff.ly/493bHN1

On any given day, over 48,000 youth in the United States are confined in facilities away from home as a result of juvenile justice or criminal justice involvement. Troublingly, more than 500 confined children are no more than 12 years old. This “big picture” report not only reveals ways in which the juvenile justice system must improve, but also offers lessons from progress that has already been made. Report ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/evnWNwQH #criminaljusticereform #juvenilejustice #criminaljustice