The document discusses the benefits of aftercare programs for juvenile offenders. It explains that aftercare programs utilize halfway houses, counseling, employment assistance, and other services to help juvenile offenders successfully reintegrate into the community after being released from residential placement. Research shows these programs reduce recidivism rates by providing offenders with support, skills, and positive environments needed to stay out of trouble. The document also outlines different types of aftercare programs, including foster homes, shelter care, group homes, and wilderness programs. It argues that aftercare should be emphasized over confinement, as it improves public safety and the long-term outcomes of juvenile offenders.

1. Running head: Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism
Juvenile Justice:
Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism
Sam Brandt
Miller-Motte College, Wilmington Campus
CJ210 Juvenile Justice
Dr. Ame Frey
September 14th, 2016

2. Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism 2
Youth have been committing more crimes than years before. Now that there are more
programs and opportunities for the youth, the benefits can be seen. The programs are more
complex and can target a variety of different youthful offenders. These programs are important
to successfully helping the youth offenders rehabilitate and to not reoffend. This research will
address what aftercare programs entail, factors that are considered in programs, types of aftercare
programs, benefits of aftercare programs, importance of aftercare, and a summary of the
findings.
Aftercare utilizes a number of programs to help aid youth. Some of programs include
halfway houses, employment help, counseling, and medical treatment (Merlo, Benekos, &
Champion, 2016). Programs are also designed to help the youth after their time is up with
residential placement (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).
There are various elements that are considered for juveniles to successfully return to the
community and complete reentry programs. The first element is assessing the risk of each
juvenile’s potential to reoffend, their needs, and their strengths (Altschuler & Bilchik, 2014).
The second element requires investigation of looking into behavioral involvements. Another
element is determining the family’s commitment to help the juvenile (Altschuler & Bilchik,
2014). Towards the end of the program, discharge readiness will need to be examined, followed
by then developing a plan for the juvenile to follow once released from the program (Altschuler
& Bilchik, 2014).
Two factors that are addressed with the youth are the protective and risk factors. The risk
can be classified as anything that would escalate the person to undergo some sort of harm. A
protective factor would be something that lessens the possibility of a risk factor taking place
(U.S. Government , n.d.). Some possible fields to protective and risk factors that influence the

3. Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism 3
youth are community, peers and schools. Individual risk factors of youth can be hyperactivity,
poverty and low cognitive development. Positive protective factors could be good IQ, religion
and a desire to please elders (U.S. Government , n.d.).
One option and type of aftercare program is foster homes. These homes are meant for
youth to be there temporarily for control and guidance purposes. When the youth are placed in a
foster home it does not necessarily mean they are law violators. The youth that are placed in
foster homes could be placed there simply because the parents are found to be unable to properly
care for their child. Placing a child in a foster home gives the child the opportunity to be in a
stable environment. Foster homes are used quite frequently; in 2012, there were 400,000 youth
in foster homes. Most of the time the youth that are placed in foster homes are there because of
minor offenses (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).
Another aftercare option is shelter care. Shelter care helps create a home-based setting to
host youth over a short period of time. The staff provide for the youth anywhere from a couple
hours a day to multiple weeks. Shelter care facilities can be located in suburban housing areas
and look like normal houses. These facilities do not have any special characteristics that
differentiate them from other places, such as signs. Primarily the focus of shelter care is only
used for youth that are status offenders (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).
One alternative for a judge to place a youth offender in is group homes. Group homes
can be either private or public and are community based. In group homes, residents and
counselors presume the duty of acting as parents to groups ranging from 10 to 20 youth (Merlo,
Benekos, & Champion, 2016). Specific group homes are called family group homes because
they are family controlled. When alternatives are being considered for the youth to be placed in
a group home is a popular choice. They offer treatment and guidance for youth. As of 2010,

4. Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism 4
according to a biannual census taken on residential facilities, there were 528 group homes. A
requirement of group homes is that the youth take part in an educational program, go to school,
follow a curfew, and go to therapy or get medical treatment (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion,
2016).
Halfway houses are also available to the youth. The halfway houses assist the youth in
transition from a secure facility they were in to being back in the community. While at the
halfway houses, the youth develop plans for living independently. One example of a halfway
house is called the Abraxas House in Staunton, Virginia. At the Abraxas house, there are
programs for the youth to learn about living skills, community services, and character
development (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion, 2016).
There are many other programs that can be beneficial to the youth, such as wilderness
projects, ranches, camps, and skill programs. These types of programs cost less than regular
programs. In 2010 wilderness camps and ranches accounted for 3% of youth facilities. Rawhide
Boys Ranch is an experience program located in Wisconsin. One unique value is that it is a faith
based program. Private and public agencies can make recommendations for you to go here.
Some focus points of Rawhide Boys Ranch are case management, social services, educational
development, employment training, and foster care services (Merlo, Benekos, & Champion,
2016).
Aftercare programs provide a variety of different benefits. When aftercare programs are
utilized overcrowding is cut down. Additionally, youth improve their chance of fully completing
rehabilitation. Aftercare also helps to discourage youth from offending in the future (Merlo,
Benekos, & Champion, 2016).

5. Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism 5
It is important to give the youth an opportunity to be in aftercare. When youth are in
aftercare programs it aids in giving youth an encouraging environment as well as improves the
overall public safety. If youth are taken into an institutional setting, this can hinder the youth
from growing in skills necessary upon release. When youth return home from incarceration they
are 75 percent more likely to reoffend within three years (JJIE, 2016).
In conclusion there are a variety of different programs available for youth instead of
confinement. I believe youth of nonviolent crimes should be directed into some type of aftercare
program. The programs not only give the youth a positive environment to succeed in but also
help in planning after they complete the program. Opportunities for youth are far greater than
just putting them in confinement. Once youth are in the program they learn new skills, receive
an education or vocational schooling, and improve behavior. When giving youth value and
purpose in life we will increase their want to succeed in society. If we want to see the change in
a generation then we must be leaders, role models, and advocates of the change.

6. Why Aftercare Programs For The Youth Help Reduce Recidivism 6
References
Altschuler, D., & Bilchik, S. (2014). Critical Elements of Juvenile Reentry in Research and
Practice. Retrieved 8 23, 2016, from Justice Center:
https://csgjusticecenter.org/youth/posts/critical-elements-of-juvenile-reentry-in-research-
and-practice/
JJIE. (2016). Why are Re-entry and Aftercare Important? Retrieved 9 1, 2016, from YIPA:
http://jjie.org/hub/reentry/key-issues/
Merlo, A. V., Benekos, P. J., & Champion, D. J. (2016). The Juvenile Justice System (Vol. 8).
(A. Gilfillan, Ed.) New York, New York.
U.S. Government . (n.d.). Risk & Protective Factors. Retrieved 8 29, 2016, from Youth.Gov:
http://youth.gov/youth-topics/juvenile-justice/risk-and-protective-factors