Introduction
In Hampton Roads, Virginia, there has been a rise in juvenile arrests. It is essential that the matter be discussed as minority populations are arrested at increased rates in comparison to their peers (Durnan & Harvell, 2017). The environment within juvenile detention centers has been found to have adverse effects on detainees, with treatment failing to significantly reduce rates of recidivism. Taking this into consideration, social workers and other professionals of the sort are responsible for advocating for our troubled youth. To improve behavioral outcomes and decrease the likelihood of reoffending, mentorship programs should be established as both a preventative measure and integrated as part of the treatment process for detained youth. It is imperative that this social injustice be acknowledged and addressed as it is harmful for youth and an infringement of human rights.
Below are visual depictions of the types of crimes that youth in Virginia have committed in 2022:
Click the link below to access a video of findings from a report that reveals the inequities in Virginia's juvenile justice system (2 min):
https://youtu.be/MOStuW8h4BI?si=nyukoAP2qtQkkE6h
Task
Studies reveal that the vast majority of juvenile arrests occur during after-school hours (Jenson et al., 2018). Establishing a self-betterment program that provides youth with positive role models and like-minded peers is a constructive alternative to the frivolous activities that take place during these hours. Furthermore, evidence shows that there is a need for reform in juvenile justice, as these facilities focus on punitive punishments instead of preparing youth for reentry. To combat this, mentorship should be integrated into the treatment processes within detention centers in hopes of providing youth with tools and resources to prepare them for a successful future.
To establish mentorships as a preventative measure as well as part of the treatment process, obtaining funds through sponsorship, grants, donations, and fund-raising efforts is vital. The preventative mentorship program could be hosted in schools, such as in the auditorium or gymnasium, while treatment facilities within juvenile detention centers provide appropriate venues for mentorship sessions. To effectively secure the mentorship, authoritative figures within public schools and detention centers would collaborate with the facilitator of the program. Additionally, stakeholders, activists, and volunteers, along with many other individuals with various titles, would assist in the implementation and execution of mentorship programs.
Click the link below to access an article that discusses the protective effects of role models for youth:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2752426/
Click the link below to access an article that discusses the benefits of mentoring programs for delinquency prevention:
Process
Below is a proposal letter to Ed Holmes, as he is responsible for juvenile justice grant monitoring and related technical assistance to funded sub-grantees, according to the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (Rouse et al., 2023):
April 19, 2024
Department of Criminal Justice Services
The Division of Programs and Services
Dear Mr. Ed Holmes,
Many of us live, work, and play in Hampton Roads. It is the home of our families and friends. Unfortunately, some youth, particularly individuals under the age of 18, have made the community more dangerous by committing offenses including robbery, motor vehicle theft, and hate crimes. To combat juvenile delinquency, stakeholders, advocates, and members of the community wish to implement a mentorship program as an after school program as well as an integral component of juvenile justice treatment processes. The goal of the intervention is to invest in the future of the youth and the community by empowering them, providing constructive mentorship, and preventing crime. The mentorship program would make the community a safer place by reducing recidivism and juvenile criminality. Many of us recognize that troubled youth are frequently disregarded, nevertheless, we refuse to allow them to succumb to the consequences of their backgrounds and lifestyles. We request that you join us in investing in our future by sponsoring and supporting the mentorship program as both a preventative measure and part of the juvenile detention treatment process so that we can better prepare our youth for adult success. We are located at 000 Boush Street, Norfolk, VA, 23510. Please feel free to contact us via cell phone at (757) 123-4567 or email at VAmentorshipadministration@gmail.com. We thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
VA Mentorship Administration
Below is a visual depiction of a budget sheet that the administration for the mentorship program would potentially use for funding:
Below is a visual depiction of a various methods for fundraising:
Evaluation
There are a number of existing policies and laws regarding the treatment of troubled youth. Unfortunately, these efforts have not been successful as juvenile delinquency and recidivism continue to be persistent issues here in Virginia. For example, zero-tolerance policies were established as a deterrent for misconduct; however, the set of regulations has been found to negatively impact students. Studies show that zero-tolerance policies punish students too severely and exacerbate the school-to-prison pipeline (Counts et al., 2018). Below is a visual of the marginalized populations that are disproportionately impacted by zero-tolerance policies:
Click the link below to access a video of the consequences of the zero-tolerance policies in various areas (2 min):
https://youtu.be/zt9eQmNKges?si=cN2OMhz3EcSDTe4Q
Below is a visual that expands on the disparities of the school-to-prison pipeline:
Additionally, school resource officers (SROs) were placed in school settings to ensure the safety of students and staff. Unfortunately, administrative staff began to rely on SROs to discipline students under circumstances that would traditionally be resolved by faculty (Counts et al., 2018). One contributing factor is that SROs have not been trained to assist students who have suffered from adverse childhood experiences or have yet to be diagnosed with mental limitations. In fact, some critics argue that the presence of SROs in public schools should decrease, suggesting instead that more professionals who have the ability to administer trauma-informed care and are more knowledgeable about mental limitations should be placed in school environments. To access a fact sheet about the drawbacks of SROs, click the link below: https://coe.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/SRO%20Fact%20sheet.pdf
Conclusion
In addition to the research I have conducted and the webquest that I have created, there are various ways that you and I could contribute to advancing reform of the juvenile justice system. To begin, it is vital that we all continue to educate ourselves on the social issue. Once we have an understanding of the problem and the threat it poses to our youth, we can all raise awareness about the benefits of mentorships, both as a proactive approach and as a method of treatment. This could be done through the use of community forums, media platforms, and even local events. While raising awareness, I believe that it would be advantageous for successful individuals who have overcome the hardships of poverty and residing in public housing to share their perspective. It would be beneficial as stakeholders and other authoritative figures may not be fully aware of the importance of positive role models for marginalized youth.
Below is a visual of the steps for juvenile justice reform:
Below is a link for you to create a petition for juvenile justice reform:
Credits
References
Counts, J., Randall, K. N., Ryan, J. B., & Katsiyannis, A. (2018). School Resource Officers in
Public Schools: A National Review. Education & Treatment of Children (West Virginia University Press), 41(4), 405–429. https://doi.org/10.1353/etc.2018.0023
Durnan, J., & Harvell, S. (2017, June). Data Snapshot of Youth Incarceration in Virginia. Urban
Institute. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/91566/data_snapsh…
youth_incarceration_in_virginia_1.pdf
Rouse, I., Coffey, D., Ortega, N., & Harmon, M. (2023, May 1). Virginia’s Three-Year Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) Plan: 2021–2023 PROGRAM NARRATIVE . Department of Criminal Justice Services Virginia . https://www.dcjs.virginia.gov/sites/dcjs.virginia.gov/files/publication…