Introduction
Prevention, treatment and diversionary programs for juvenile offenders were implemented in the community to address the issue of juvenile delinquency and habitual offenders through a community cooperative effort. The programs are implemented through schools, prosecutor’s office, police, and the juvenile courts with a large involvement on delivery of timely information and distribution of resources to the youths. This helps in suppressing habitual offenders in order to reduce crime and rehabilitate juvenile delinquent youths. (Levinson, 2004pp35-39)
Functions of prevention programs
According to James, school administrators for effective operations leading to improved children and youth (S.A.F.E.P.O.L.I.C.Y.) program identifies at-risk youth and expends resources to youths. This helps in reducing overall juvenile delinquency and prevents serious habitual as well as violence in juvenile offenders. The program also teaches in schools matters of respects, conflict resolution and decision making where it is complemented with lessons on anti-gang and anti-drug as well as anti-violence.
Safety programs are provided to adults and student together with crossing guards in schools to act as a deterrent of trouble and also intervene when troubles arise. Other preventive programs like police athletic league combats crime and other forms of violence by creating alternatives to the youths on how to spend their time qualitatively and promoting team building as well as rapport among youths. Boxer, 2003pp24-30)
Functions of diversion programs
These programs provide barriers to juveniles from penetrating into criminal justice systems and therefore divert offenders from much contact with each other. Without such barriers detainees learn from each other on how to be more effective at engaging in crime. These programs also reduce the cost of detaining and supervising the juveniles by community members and reduce unseen costs which arise as a result of broken families and unemployment.
The program provides penalties such as juvenile performing community service work without being paid for community benefit but it also serves as a punitive sanction offering an opportunity for rehabilitation along with reparation.He or she can also be put into probation for a maximum of two years with supervision by the probation officer who gives directions which the court has found appropriate. In this case the juvenile does not pay the fine stated by the court but the entire project regarding community services must be approved by the court to ensure that there is maintenance of certain criteria. (Boxer, 2003pp30-36)
Functions of treatment programs
The main objectives of treatment programs is to establish that minors are detained securely under juvenile court by providing assessment, referral as well as advocacy services for juveniles with a series of rehabilitative needs. Mental health services are provided by psychologist in liaison with psychiatrist who also provides counseling services on substance abuse, sex offender services and reduction of suicide risks. The program also reunifies the youth with his or her family ensuring that, the family ties are not broken and preserves interpersonal relationship and good communication. Medical staff is provided on daily basis at the center to offer medication and physical exams regarding the needs of the juveniles. (Finley, 2005pp14-16)
Evaluation of the success of program’s measures
These programs have been quite successful in offering strict supervision and methods of control as well as strategies towards the offenders. This enhances public safety and rehabilitation for the juveniles especially if there is collaboration of the members of the community to ensure cooperation and information sharing. The programs have also improved communication efforts to respond towards domestic violence and reduced the use of drugs and alcohol in the community as well as school systems. (Finley, 2005pp17-19)
Conclusion
Management of juvenile delinquency is effective if there are programs which their major objectives are to prevent the occurrence of crime among youth by providing the right information to the youths at the right time regarding drug and alcohol abuse among many other peer influences. Use of diversionary programs minimizes spread of crime by ensuring the interaction between juveniles is at minimal. Youths who are under custody are more vulnerable to diseases and therefore require proper medical attention as well as guidance and counseling to shape their behavior and this is what these programs have offered.
References
Levinson D. (2004): Crime and punishment: Nelson-Hall, pp. 35-39.
Boxer P. (2003): treating the juvenile offender: Lexington, pp. 24-36.
Finley L. (2005): juvenile offender: Praeger, pp. 14-19.