In recent years, states have reacted with different programs to treat juvenile
offenders. In response to public demand, some states have turned away from the
traditional model of rehabilitation to one of punishment and have passed laws
that curb the discretion of judges in sentencing and mandating long periods of
detention. Other states, keeping rehabilitation as a model, have tried to
institute more community programs. Such "diversion" programs place juveniles in
a variety of programs in order to help rehabilitate them and return them to
productive lives in their communities. In Illinois, "Redeploy Illinois" is an
example of one kind of diversion program. Redeploy Illinois enables Illinois
counties to redirect juvenile offenders who are not guilty of a Class X
forcible felony from the Illinois Department state-run confined facilities to
community-based treatment and counseling programs. The program allows counties
to get money for placing their juvenile offenders in these community-based
programs rather than into state incarceration. Funds to run the program would
come from the money saved by the Department of Corrections, which would
otherwise need to house the offending youth.
This unit will provide background on diversion programs in juvenile justice. It
explores how these programs work using examples of programs from Illinois and
other states. It explores the choices these programs require of adults and
youth as well as the costs and benefits of these kinds of programs. It also
offers a way for students to consider whether their county should participate
in the "Redeploy Illinois" program.
Focus Question
Should Illinois divert state prison funds to develop local alternative
programming for youthful offenders who otherwise would be held in confinement?
Objectives
Provide a historical and public policy context for juvenile confinement and
diversion programs.
Generate a working definition of public policy, supply tools for analyzing
policy in order to form an educated decision, and promote recognition of the
impact of public policy and how to affect policy decisions.
Materials
A. Where to Place Juvenile Offenders: Confinement or Diversion?
B. Activity: Where to Place Juvenile Offenders: Two Models
C. Handout: Two Models for Juvenile Offenders
D. Strategy: Looking at Public Policy: G R A D E
E. Source: Redeploy Illinois, Public Act 93-0641 (Excerpts)
F. Activity: Town Hall Meeting on Redeploy Illinois
G. Where to Place Juvenile Offenders: Questions for Review
H. Taking a Stand: Position Paper on Where to Place Juvenile Offenders
Where to Place Juvenile Offenders: Selected Community, Print and Internet
Resources
Last updated: September 15, 2006
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