Applying the December 2009 recommendations of Governor Paterson’s Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice and based on the approach developed in the state of Missouri, OCFS’s new model is characterized by a graduated continuum of small, nurturing programs, coupled  with a comprehensive, standardized assessment of individual risk and needs that enables OCFS to select the least restrictive and most appropriate placement environment in the continuum for each youth placed into state custody. The continuum programs are located near the communities where youth in state custody live and partner closely with families and communities in their development and care.

As Vera continues to assist OCFS in implementing the Brooklyn pilot, providing technical assistance and monitoring data to assess the fidelity of implementation and improve the approach in practice, we are helping OCFS to plan for expansion of the model to another locality. Vera’s assistance has been supported by OCFS, the New York State Division for Criminal Justice Services, Atlantic Philanthropies, and the David Rockefeller Fund. 

Why transform large juvenile justice systems? 

The conventional strategy among states—to place youth convicted of delinquent behavior into large correctional institutions modeled on the criminal justice system—has unequivocally proven ineffective in reducing criminal behavior among troubled youth and in keeping communities safe. Rather, studies routinely show high rates of recidivism among youth released from such facilities; reports of violence and abuse within facilities abound. In stark contrast, small, therapeutic, community-based juvenile justice systems focused on helping youth make lasting behavioral changes and building the skills and self-awareness necessary to succeed after release have demonstrated low recidivism rates and widespread success for youth, families, and communities.