Scenario
You are a juvenile justice professional tasked with making recommendations to a judge for a juvenile’s entire course of treatment. You can advise on the sanctions they should receive; the components of their correctional treatment; the programs, training, or institutions that should assist them; any alternatives or special conditions to consider; and terms for their aftercare and transition back into the community.
Review your textbook and the “Juvenile Justice” video in this week’s University Library resources and choose 1 of the following juveniles to use as your case study for this assignment:
Shawn from the “Juvenile Justice” video
Jose from the “Juvenile Justice” video
Manny from the “Juvenile Justice” video
Marquese from the “Juvenile Justice” video
Gina from Critical Thinking Exercise #3 (p. 313) in Ch. 11 of your textbook, Juvenile Justice: Policies, Programs, and Practices
Developing a Dispositional Plan Assume that you are a judge in the juvenile court. Gina, a 14-year-old juvenile, is accused of aggravated robbery in your court. At the adjudication hearing, Gina admits her guilt in the offense in which she served as a lookout and getaway driver for her boyfriend and another accomplice. At the time of the robbery, Gina was under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. Gina was habitually truant from school, was living at home with her mother who is a single parent with two jobs, and was frequently out past curfew at home. Gina’s mother testifies that she has trouble supervising Gina due to her two jobs and Gina’s association with the wrong crowd. Gina tested relatively poorly on educational and social assessments conducted by the probation department. She has had no prior adjudications or detainments by police. She is currently pregnant by her boyfriend, who has been committed as a result of this offense. Develop a dispositional plan for Gina using the alternatives discussed in this chapter. What special treatment and conditions will you impose on Gina? Your decision can combine alternatives from this chapter and anything else you deem relevant.
Note: If you are using one of the case studies in the “Juvenile Justice” video, you can access a menu to skip to specific sections of the video mentioning your chosen juvenile by clicking on “segments” (next to “transcript”) shown to the right of the video.
Assignment Deliverable
Based on your selected juvenile case study, respond to the following prompts in 50–75 words each.
Summarize the outcome of the adjudication process and the dispositional options available in your selected case.
Describe the risk factors that affected the disposition in your case.
Summarize the evidence-based research regarding what works in the treatment of juvenile offenders.
Based upon the evidence of what works, recommend 2 correctional strategies for this juvenile that are available in your state. Include 1 that is an alternative to incarceration in a community correctional program, and 1 that is an institutional correctional option.
Explain which of the 4 case management components of juvenile aftercare and parole would be best suited for your case.
Full Answer Section
Summarize the evidence-based research regarding what works in the treatment of juvenile offenders.
Evidence-based research emphasizes several key elements in the effective treatment of juvenile offenders. These include programs focusing on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address criminogenic thinking and behavior, multi-systemic therapy (MST) targeting family and community influences, functional family therapy (FFT) to improve family dynamics, and skill-building programs focusing on social skills, anger management, and problem-solving. Programs that are structured, intensive, and tailored to the individual's risk and needs have shown the most promising outcomes in reducing recidivism.
Based upon the evidence of what works, recommend 2 correctional strategies for this juvenile that are available in your state. Include 1 that is an alternative to incarceration in a community correctional program, and 1 that is an institutional correctional option.
For Gina, I recommend the following:
- Community Correctional Program (Alternative to Incarceration): Intensive Probation with Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST). MST is an evidence-based program that addresses the multiple factors contributing to Gina's delinquency by working intensively with her family, school, and community. This approach can provide the necessary structure, supervision, and therapeutic interventions (CBT, skill-building) while allowing her to remain in the community, maintain contact with her mother (with support), and address her pregnancy within a supportive framework.
- Institutional Correctional Option: Residential Treatment Facility with a Specialized Program for Pregnant and Parenting Teens. If MST is deemed insufficient or if Gina requires a more structured and supervised environment initially, a residential treatment facility offering specialized services for pregnant and parenting teens would be considered. This setting can provide intensive therapy (individual and group), educational support tailored to her needs, prenatal care, parenting skills training, and a safe environment away from negative influences. The focus would still be on rehabilitation and preparing her for eventual reintegration into the community.
Explain which of the 4 case management components of juvenile aftercare and parole would be best suited for your case.
For Gina, the "Reintegration and Support Services" component of juvenile aftercare and parole would be best suited. Given her young age, lack of prior record, pregnancy, and the multiple risk factors present, a strong focus on providing comprehensive support as she transitions back into the community is crucial. This component includes connecting her with stable housing (if needed), continued access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, educational or vocational support to prevent further truancy, parenting resources and support for her and her child, and ongoing supervision and mentorship to help her navigate challenges and avoid re-engaging with negative influences. A strong support network and access to essential resources will be vital for her successful reintegration and long-term pro-social development.
Sample Answer
Summarize the outcome of the adjudication process and the dispositional options available in your selected case.
Gina admitted guilt to aggravated robbery at the adjudication hearing. As the judge, I now face various dispositional options, including probation with specific conditions, community-based programs (e.g., counseling, educational support, substance abuse treatment), placement in a residential treatment facility, or, though less likely given her lack of prior record, commitment to a juvenile correctional institution. The goal is to balance accountability with rehabilitation, considering her age, the nature of the offense, and her individual circumstances.
Describe the risk factors that affected the disposition in your case.
Several risk factors significantly affect Gina's disposition. Her involvement in the aggravated robbery, even as a lookout and getaway driver, indicates poor decision-making and association with delinquent peers. Her substance abuse at the time of the offense, habitual truancy, lack of parental supervision due to her mother's work schedule, poor performance on educational and social assessments, and pregnancy all contribute to a higher risk of future delinquent behavior. These factors necessitate a comprehensive and supportive intervention.