Following its July 2017 resolution urging a shift in how juvenile probationers are supervised, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges recently issued its blueprint for how judges and probation officers help make that happen.
Based, in part, on results of that organization's 2020 survey of family court judges across the country, "The Role of the Judge in Transforming Juvenile Probation: A Toolkit for Leadership" argues for system changes driven by data and other empirical evidence of which practices improve juveniles' behavior; pare disparities resulting in more youth of color and poor kids being in detention or on probation; and lessen time spent on probation.
Drafted by a nationwide task force of judges, social workers and other clinician-researchers and program officers from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the toolkit urges, among other approaches:
- Treating each juvenile's case individually, including by tailoring goals aimed at limiting that youth's time on probation.
- Minimizing court-order requirements to be met during probation by imposing only the most essential rules and restrictions.
- Reducing the list of comparatively minor infractions, known as technical violations, that can result in youth being re-incarcerated or having their probationary sentences extended.
- Provide more opportunities for youth accused and/or convicted of some serious crimes to be placed on probation or enrolled in a community-based diversion program that keeps them out of juvenile detention.
- Providing incentives and rewards aimed at encouraging youth to change behaviors that landed them in the juvenile justice system.