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Sponsored by Association of Paroling Authorities

International

Youthful Offenders

Reentry and Supervision Issues and Differences

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Presenter

Bill Sturgeon, Director

Center for Rural Preparedness and Emergency Services

Southern Vermont College

Bennington, Vermont

and

Board Member of the Correctional Security Network

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Key Words

• Unique • Challenging• Gender specific• Age specific (As much as possible)• Paradigm shift• Structure• Measured response to infractions• Valid information

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Here is what we are going to talk about

- Youthful Offenders – Who are they?

- What are some of the characteristics of each of the three stages of adolescent development

- Associate the characteristics with parole supervision expectations

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• The ability to adapt programs, supervision techniques and methods

(shift paradigms)• Understand different gender issues of

Youthful Offenders• Determine if disciplinary actions are to a.

correct the behavior b. punish the client c. both

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Youthful Offender

• What is a youthful offender:

For the purpose of this audio conference, a youthful offender is a person (charged with an adult criminal offense) who is under the age of majority in any state or country.

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Three Stages of Adolescence

• Early Adolescence 11-14 years of age*

• Middle Adolescence 15 – 18 years of age*

• Late Adolescence 19 -21 years of age*(*These ages are not set in stone – they are merely

guidelines.)

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What Makes Youthful Offenders Different from Adult Populations• They lack maturity

• They act before comprehending the consequences of their behavior – “I’m sorry.”

• They have numerous mental health, dental, and physical health problems

• Most have experienced some type of abuse

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What Makes Youthful Offenders Different from Adult Populations

• YOs need to have structure in their lives (Structure that can be verified and that serves a purpose). Structure must be built into the parole agreement, contract, etc.

• Behavior and Performance should be an integral part of every YOs supervision plan.

- Too often we (the system) have only taken into account the BEHAVIOR aspect of an offenders parole.

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What Makes Youthful Offenders Different from Adult Populations

- The smart offenders know how to

manipulate the system and the

behavior element.

- Performance is more difficult to feign.

* A person is either doing it or not

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What Makes Youthful Offenders Different from Adult Populations - Examples of performance can be:

* Performance in school

* Performance at group / individual

counseling sessions

* Performance at pre-release

assignments

* Attendance at required meetings

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Setting Parameters for Performance Measures

• Must be specific and measurable

• Must be realistic

• Best if mutually agreed upon – but not a prerequisite (Remember structure)

• Timeframes (Crucial)

• Adjust as needed – (“don’t over react”)

• Look for small successes to build upon

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Setting Parameters for Performance Measures

• Reward successful performance – no matter how small

• Be prepared for slips and falls and to adjust parameters accordingly:

- Be especially cautious when dealing

with technical violations that involve:

* Time

* Transportation

* Child care

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Anecdotal / AsidesWhat We Have Learned

• Some youthful offenders will self-destruct

• Some youthful offenders would rather remain in prison and/or go back to prison

• Age is not a significant indicator of anything other than “how old a person is”

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Anecdotal Evidence“What We Have Learned”

• It’s difficult for YOs to be successful because of external influences:

- Drugs - Gangs - Terrorist Groups - Prostitution (female / male) - Homelessness - Untreated Mental Health Issues

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Special Help

• Unlike adult offenders, YOs may need special help in the following areas:

- Getting back into school

- Getting into affordable housing

- Childcare

- Mental health (age specific) counseling

- Finding the correct social service

agency for their particular problem

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Board Specific

• At hearings don’t look for a polished

appearance. • Don’t look for sophisticated and smooth

answers to questions.• Try to get by the external veneer many of the

YOs present with at first.• Develop new YO parole plans

– that are specifically geared to supervision

issues associated with YOs

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Board Specific

• Initiate research projects dealing with youthful offenders: What works

• Develop specialized training for agents who will be supervising YO’s

• Work with Governmental entities to develop new parole guidelines for youthful offenders – to meet their unique needs

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Looking into the Crystal Ball

• There appears to be an increase in youthful violent crime so there very well could be a resurgence of youthful offenders.

• Female juvenile crime is the fastest growing demographic – a major paradigm shift

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Looking into the Crystal Ball

• Age and gender specific parole plans

• Agent burnout

• Frustration

• More violent offenders and offenses

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Summary

• YOs experience significant issues making the transition from prison to civilian life and will need specially trained agents to supervise them.

• YOs violence should not be underestimated

• Many YOs can make it given the right opportunities and supervision