Examining Juvenile Aftercare Programs: Rehabilitation and Justice

This essay discusses the critical role of juvenile aftercare programs in the justice system, emphasizing the need for effective rehabilitation strategies for young offenders. It examines the Family Integrated Transition (FIT) program, highlighting its strengths in addressing mental health and chemical dependency issues while acknowledging limitations in educational support. The Avon Park Youth Academy and STREET Smart Aftercare Program (APYA) are presented as alternatives that cater to the educational needs of these youths, offering remedial training to facilitate their reintegration into society. The essay concludes that APYA is particularly effective due to its comprehensive approach, which not only supports mainstream reintegration but also addresses educational deficits. Desklib offers this essay and many other resources for students.

Running head: JUVENILE AFTERCARE PROGRAMS
Juvenile Aftercare Programs
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1JUVENILE AFTERCARE PROGRAMS
The process of juvenile crime and justice is a very crucial issue. In order to endure proper
justice, the government also needs to employ efficient aftercare programs. The delinquents, who
are subjected to punishments and justice belong to a very tender age group. Hence, any
ineffective strategy or step can create significant impact on their minds and careers. In this
regard, it can be said that the government needs to take up effective steps to ensure proper
rehabilitation programs to these youths (Henninger & Taylor, 2014). Utmost importance is to be
given to the rehabilitation programs so that these children can successfully join the main stream
of life. The discussion hence will focus on the aftercare programs and their effectiveness.
Family Integrated Transition (FIT) is an individual as well as family service that caters to
the aftercare needs of the juveniles who have mental illness or chemical dependency (Early,
Chapman & Hand, 2013). The program aims at reducing the risks that they the youth undergo
during the rehabilitation process. According to (James et al., 2013), it can be said the FIT
program is highly effective in helping the post rehabilitation needs of the juveniles. In addition to
this, the program also supports the families of these juveniles to overcome the distressed
situation (Alexander, Entwisle & Olson, 2014). However, (Siegel & Welsh, 2014) have pointed
out that the FIT program not take initiatives to provide training or educational support to these
victims. The Avon Park Youth Academy and STREET Smart Aftercare Program (APYA)
however cater to the educational needs of these youths. As opined by (Lambie & Randell, 2013),
these youths require remedial training and education in order to cope up with the mainstream of
the society and establish their career.
Hence, in conclusion it can be said that the APYA program is most effective as it not
only helps the juveniles to go back to the main stream but also addresses their educational needs.

2JUVENILE AFTERCARE PROGRAMS
Reference
Alexander, K., Entwisle, D., & Olson, L. (2014). The long shadow: Family background,
disadvantaged urban youth, and the transition to adulthood. Russell Sage Foundation.
Early, K. W., Chapman, S. F., & Hand, G. A. (2013). Family-focused juvenile reentry services:
A quasi-experimental design evaluation of recidivism outcomes. Journal of Juvenile
Justice, 2(2), 1.
Henninger, N. A., & Taylor, J. L. (2014). Family perspectives on a successful transition to
adulthood for individuals with disabilities. Mental Retardation, 52(2), 98-111.
James, C., Asscher, J. J., Dekovic, M., Van der Laan, P. H., & Stams, G. J. J. (2013). Endeavors
in an experimental study on the effectiveness of an aftercare program in the Netherlands:
research note. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 24(1), 123-138.
Lambie, I., & Randell, I. (2013). The impact of incarceration on juvenile offenders. Clinical
Psychology Review, 33(3), 448-459.
Siegel, L. J., & Welsh, B. C. (2014). Juvenile delinquency: Theory, practice, and law. Cengage
Learning.