Avoiding the juvenile justice system helps everyone
Odds are already stacked against the nearly 37,500 youth in the criminal justice system nationwide — and that’s bad news for everyone. They will have a harder time securing work, housing or an education. Sadly but not surprisingly, juvenile offenders often graduate into the adult system, and eventually to prison, where they will each cost taxpayers about $40,000 a year.
A review of state studies by the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention found that about 55% of youth in the criminal justice system are rearrested within one year of release. Nearly one in four are reincarcerated.
Avoiding lifetime collateral consequences and reducing the rates at which young people reoffend ought to be the top priority of any juvenile justice system.
In Pennsylvania, recidivism rates from one-year-of-release are roughly 12%. That’s below the national average, but not low enough.
The Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission reports that education, housing, employment, health and emotional stability, as well as strong connections to the community, are important for reducing recidivism.
In Pittsburgh, the soon-to-open Momentum Café is making a difference. As the Post-Gazette reported, this nonprofit restaurant and professional training center in Downtown gives juvenile offenders a second chance.
Many of them have had few or no positive role models. They often struggle to find purpose and meaning. A job can provide a sense of accomplishment, as well as pride and mentorship, that can bolster self-confidence and self-esteem.
“We’re developing skills and teaching that what we see on the surface and read on the news is not the whole story,” said Gene Walker, executive director of the Forbes Avenue restaurant. “We set a really high bar for our young people when they come into this program.”
With a source of income and sense of purpose, juvenile offenders who find employment are less likely to reoffend. In addition, holding a job can develop important life skills, such as time management, problem-solving and teamwork, that increase chances of succeeding in life and avoiding the school-to-prison pipeline.
When juvenile offenders avoid the criminal justice system and become productive members of society, taxpayers save money.
“We want kids to know they are not defined by their mistakes or circumstances,” Programs Director Cheyenne Tyler said. “We want to make sure they have the support, love and guidance they need to reach their full potential.”