Restorative Justice Programs Within The Hamilton County Juvenile Justice System
Start Date
29-4-2022 2:15 PM
Location
Alter Hall Poster Session 1 - 3rd floor
Abstract
Within the Hamilton County Juvenile Justice System, system-involved youth who are aged 12-17 are approached by multiple different professions, departments, and agencies who attempt to integrate various different programs and practices that will generate more positive behaviors among the youth. The main purpose of restorative justice is to repair the harm done by offenders, and to rebuild positive relationships between the victims, communities, and offenders who are obligated to correct their wrongdoing. Restorative justice has several different models that integrate the offender is responding to their crime, including Victim-Offender Mediation, Family Group Conferencing, Circle Sentencing, and Community Reparative Boards. Also, restitution and compensation are main factors that increase the likelihood of successful restoration. While restorative justice has become a more common approach in a transition away from punitive approaches that have historically been used, how can restorative justice be used within the juvenile justice system that will similarly benefit from the same outcomes and decrease the likelihood of youth reoffending in the future?
The purpose of the current study is to examine the understanding and awareness from juvenile justice professionals within the Hamilton County area regarding restorative justice programs, and its practices among system involved youth. Furthermore, the study is formatted to discover any common beliefs, understandings, or awareness of key participants who are involved with any youth who have engaged in delinquent behaviors. Since the Hamilton County area has zero distinct programs that are declared as restorative justice, the purpose is not to determine why, but instead to better understand the practices of the workers involved. The study was conducted as a survey questionnaire, using similar questions from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) in 2013. The study was distributed to a total of 49 participants, including members of the Public Defender’s Office: Juvenile Division, rivate attorneys in the juvenile division, and the Empowering Community Justice Initiative (ECJI). The sample design used is related to a Voluntary Response Sampling method since all participation in the study is voluntary, and all results will be used. The survey questionnaire contained questions that asked participants screening requirements such as age and county of practices. Also, the questionnaire asked for background and identifying information in order to differentiate any responses between agencies/programs, and then a total of 15 questions that should be answered based on where/how the participant works with system-involved youth. Results are still being collected and will be shared.
Restorative Justice Programs Within The Hamilton County Juvenile Justice System
Alter Hall Poster Session 1 - 3rd floor
Within the Hamilton County Juvenile Justice System, system-involved youth who are aged 12-17 are approached by multiple different professions, departments, and agencies who attempt to integrate various different programs and practices that will generate more positive behaviors among the youth. The main purpose of restorative justice is to repair the harm done by offenders, and to rebuild positive relationships between the victims, communities, and offenders who are obligated to correct their wrongdoing. Restorative justice has several different models that integrate the offender is responding to their crime, including Victim-Offender Mediation, Family Group Conferencing, Circle Sentencing, and Community Reparative Boards. Also, restitution and compensation are main factors that increase the likelihood of successful restoration. While restorative justice has become a more common approach in a transition away from punitive approaches that have historically been used, how can restorative justice be used within the juvenile justice system that will similarly benefit from the same outcomes and decrease the likelihood of youth reoffending in the future?
The purpose of the current study is to examine the understanding and awareness from juvenile justice professionals within the Hamilton County area regarding restorative justice programs, and its practices among system involved youth. Furthermore, the study is formatted to discover any common beliefs, understandings, or awareness of key participants who are involved with any youth who have engaged in delinquent behaviors. Since the Hamilton County area has zero distinct programs that are declared as restorative justice, the purpose is not to determine why, but instead to better understand the practices of the workers involved. The study was conducted as a survey questionnaire, using similar questions from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA) in 2013. The study was distributed to a total of 49 participants, including members of the Public Defender’s Office: Juvenile Division, rivate attorneys in the juvenile division, and the Empowering Community Justice Initiative (ECJI). The sample design used is related to a Voluntary Response Sampling method since all participation in the study is voluntary, and all results will be used. The survey questionnaire contained questions that asked participants screening requirements such as age and county of practices. Also, the questionnaire asked for background and identifying information in order to differentiate any responses between agencies/programs, and then a total of 15 questions that should be answered based on where/how the participant works with system-involved youth. Results are still being collected and will be shared.
