Think Outside the Cage: Report: Connect Kids to Community To Prevent Crime

Who is the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition?

Our mission is to reverse the trend of mass incarceration in Colorado. We are a coalition of nearly 7,000 individual members and over 100 faith and community organizations who have united to stop perpetual prison expansion in Colorado through policy and sentence reform.

Our chief areas of interest include drug policy reform, women in prison, racial injustice, the impact of incarceration on children and families, the problems associated with re-entry and stopping the practice of using private prisons in our state.

If you would like to be involved please go to our website and become a member.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Report: Connect Kids to Community To Prevent Crime

Report: Connect Kids to Communities to Prevent Crime
September 25, 2007
Juvenile-justice systems need to involve communities and family members in connecting youth to mentors, jobs, and community services to prevent crime and addiction, according to a new report from the Reclaiming Futures project.

The report, Moving Toward Equal Ground, suggests ways to improve treatment services and outcomes in the juvenile-justice system. "Families and community members have the right to be involved and need to be involved in all aspects of helping youth in the justice system who struggle with alcohol and drug use," said Laura Nissen, Ph.D., national program director of Reclaiming Futures. "They can shape the way the system treats these youth, and provide the positive social opportunities needed to keep them out of trouble."

Reclaiming Futures provides a model for serving youth involved in the juvenile-justice system, including screening adolescents for alcohol and other drug use and providing access to treatment and links to employers, mentors, and volunteer service projects.

The report includes "lessons learned" and case studies from communities that have successfully implemented the Reclaiming Futures model.