Restorative Justice at Work

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Teen lawbreakers are benefiting from a restorative justice program, required by law in Northern Ireland.  Dr. Graham Ellison, a criminologist, told Here and Now on Public Radio International how the program is working. Courts in Northern Ireland must provide kids with a restorative justice option through the Youth Conferencing Service as an alternative to prison, Dr. Ellison explained. According to the Youth Conferencing Service, kids meet with their victims, make amends and get any treatment they need. A teen graduate of the program, who stole a car, spoke to the BBC about meeting his victim. "All she done was cry, and talked about how she doesn't feel safe in her home," he said.

Young Sex Offenders May Skip Public Registry

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Under new rules from the Justice Department, juvenile sex offenders may not have to appear on the public sex offender registry. States now have options to shield juveniles, according to Youth Today. This shift in policy loosens up requirements of The Adam Walsh Act, which creates a national sex offender database.  Originally the government  mandated that all teens 14 or older, convicted of aggravated sexual assault, must appear on the registry. In May, the Justice Department gave states the choice to exempt children whose cases are handled in juvenile court.  Georgia did not put juveniles on the sex offender registry before the Walsh Act.  And now the new state sex offender law enacted May 29th says “conduct which is adjudicated in juvenile court shall not be considered a criminal offense against a victim who is a minor." Georgia is one of 47 states that have not officially complied with the Walsh Act.

Recovery schools offer kids support

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Teens trying to stay clean from drugs and alcohol may do better by going to a Recovery High School. There are more than 30 of these specialized schools across the United States. Fewer than 20% of students who have gone through drug treatment programs remain sober once they return home, according to the Association of Recovery Schools. A blog from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation called reclaimingfutures.org explains that the 23 year old program combines education and support.  The program allows students in recovery to get course credit towards a high school diploma or a college degree.

Criminologist Warns Police to Prioritize Delinquents

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Police departments respond to juvenile delinquency in many different ways, but Criminologist James F. Hodgson says they are often reactive, and a low priority.  The Professor of Criminal Justice at Virginia State University warns the number of teenagers in the U.S. could jump by 21% in the next 30 years, and they will need more attention.  He assesses current juvenile policing policies across the country.  And he argues for more pro-active and re-active programs, urging police departments to prioritize innovative programs for children. Read more about his study here.