Program reintegrates juvenile crime offenders back to education

The juvenile system of justice is criticized for generally neglecting to provide sufficient programs for rehabilitation of wayward youth. In some well-known cases, judicial officers abused the system for monetary gain by wrongly jailing many juveniles. In New Jersey, however, there is one new pilot program that intends to assist court-involved youth to return to school upon reentry, and in the process, to help alleviate the incidence of juvenile crime and rates of recidivism.

The program, now limited to Camden and Atlantic counties, offers free counsel after adjudication of the case and other educational reentry services to allow juveniles to get back into school. The program also helps the minor by attempting to combat the obstacles that are put in the way of juveniles trying to return to school after coming out of the prison system. They often face exclusions, improper suspensions and difficulties acquiring the necessary paperwork to re-enroll.

Studies show that more than 60 percent of jailed juveniles drop out of school after their release. The program also provides a backup network to support the individual’s decision to return to school. Legal counsel assist the youth in negotiating and surviving the legal hurdles that are often put in the way of a reintegrating child. The program currently focuses on children from the inner cities and impoverished areas who committed juvenile offenses and who most often face serious obstacles to reintegration.

Presumably, the program may someday be available in other counties. The impact of successful reintegration of the past juvenile offender should also have a beneficial effect on recidivism and juvenile crime rates. Whatever happens with this commendable project, however, many juveniles in New Jersey are newly arrested for juvenile violations every day. The family of a minor who is facing prosecution may find it highly beneficial to obtain experienced professional help to protect the juvenile’s rights and to initially help guard against the child being incorrectly exposed to the adult criminal justice process.

Source: amsterdamnews.com, “New program helps jailed youths return to school,” Craig D. Frazier, March 21, 2013