Restorative Justice for Youth
Stop the cycle
Research demonstrates that the current juvenile justice system has not been effective in leading to safety in communities or the rehabilitation of youth. That’s why American Humane Association launched its Restorative Justice for Youth Initiative. This initiative is targeted at achieving substantial and sustained reductions in juvenile delinquency, to respond to the needs of victims and families, and to create real change for millions of youth.
Based on our Restorative Justice initiative, when a crime or offense is committed, the offending youth incurs an obligation to restore the victim—and by extension the community—to the state of welfare that existed before the offense. Instead of moving through a system of punishment and emerging none the wiser, the youth must face his or her victims and take responsibility, developing empathy for others in the process. Compelling data show the practice is a more effective and humane approach, that helps both youth and victims, and reduces the costs of repeat offenses to society as a whole.
What is Restorative Justice? »
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1.6 million youth cases are handled by juvenile courts annually, with seven out of 10 cases adjudicated.
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97,000 youth under the age of 18 are incarcerated daily; 25 percent are awaiting placement or court hearings.
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Many youth confined are nonviolent and would benefit from community-based rehabilitative services.
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Youth of color are overrepresented at every stage of the juvenile justice system.
Register today for the 2011 Family Group Decision Making and Other Family Engagement Approaches Conference!
American Humane Association is pleased to announce that Mike Doolan is available to provide training and technical assistance to U.S. and Canadian communities working to implement and sustain FGDM processes in child welfare and youth justice systems. Download more information.
