Troubled Teens Resources

One method of teen crisis intervention being employed in various cities around the country is teen court. This method of meting out justice has proven successful, often saving a out-of-control teen from offending again and landing in boot camps or schools for troubled teens.

“Teen Court has been a voluntary option for first-time juvenile offenders in Lawrence County for the past 12 years. The biggest benefit Teen Court affords the offender is a second chance, a chance to keep their record clean through successful completion of the Teen Court program and process. If the juvenile offender successfully completes the Teen Court program, their case is dismissed and their juvenile record remains clean.”

It seems peers do not like coming in front of their peers and being judged and such a judgement seems to be a strong factor for later deterrence.

The benefits the program holds for the community are two-fold. One is a focus on restorative justice, coupled with measures to deter first-time offenders from re-offending and, two, a savings to taxpayers. “We are making an impact with youth upon their first arrest. Being judged by their peers sends a strong message that this is not acceptable behavior. It is our goal to deter these first-time offenders, so we don’t see them as second, third or chronic offenders in the system,” said Todd.

(source)

The juvenile offender in Cicero will be making their acquaintance with the type of discipline that resembles what is meted out in boot camps.

Next time a Cicero youth is caught vandalizing property, carrying illegal drugs or tagging a home with graffiti, police may tell the child to drop and give them 20.

The town approved an ordinance at its Tuesday board meeting that creates a police-administered “boot camp” where non-violent juvenile offenders could be sent for rehabilitation.

“Hopefully boot camp will put a little fear into them as to what is expected of them in society,” said Rolando Hernandez, deputy superintendent of internal affairs with the Cicero Police Department. “It’s a great idea and … will be a good program for the town.”

Teens will be presented with 50 hours of boot camp type drilling and instruction, divided up into several four hour Saturday sessions. Included will be mentoring, anger management classes as well as two hours of intense physical training.

It is hoped such intervention will deter the teens at risk from involvement in teen age drug abuse or other criminal activities in the future, as well as give them a tie to the community by applying some of that intense physical labor towards town clean up and other volunteer work.

“Police and court hearing officers can suggest the boot camp, on a case by case basis, to youth found in violation of administrative ordinances. Schools and parents can also recommend a child’s participation in the program, Hernandez said.”

(source)