I am not sure how we rated this but,
The Department of Juvenile Justice Director of the Office of Public Affairs from Atlanta, Steve Hayes, was in attendance at the Juvenile Delinquency Forum on Thursday evening.
Our Regional Director for DJJ, Diane Douglas-Harris of Albany was also there. She and Mr Hayes spoke with me for about 25 minutes after the forum.
I don't see the DJJ Balanced and Restorative Justice, BARJ, Balanced and we can call it Restorative ONLY IF you call having the juvenile offender understand that what he did was hurtful to the victim and the community.
It was explained to me that BARJ is creating empathy within the child. Then they are less likely to do things that violate another person.
Of course 20 minutes into the discussion I was told "We'll try to let you understand this one more time." so maybe I don't get it.
I certainly was hopeful that instead of a let's talk and share our feelings program, (contrary to what DJJ says, I am calling it a program), that BARJ could be community participants finding creative consequences for a juvenile offender. To me, consequencies seem to work better than the empathy thingy.
One of the defined problems coming our of the forum is lack of parenting. It appears DJJ is creating a way to shift participation from a parent on to the community. Why you ask? It sounds good and it does not cost a lot of money.
From what I heard, I would rather spend more money on alternatives left in the juvenile judge's hands. More short term programs available for repeat offenders would be a more cost effective approach in the long run.
It really is NOT the first timers that defines our Juvenile Delinquency problem. It is the juveniles in that period of delinquency from their 2 points all the way to 15 points where some creative consequences can truly make a difference.
But, really it's all about the money and where can we cut the budget.
