How to Find Alternatives to Jail for Juvenile Delinquents

A juvenile delinquent is a youth who has a history of criminal offenses. These offenses can be somewhat minor or quite severe. While the urge to teach a child a stiff lesson through time in jail may be great, studies have shown many juvenile delinquents do better when they are placed in alternative programs such as group homes or boot camps.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with Internet access

1. Consider a group home as an alternative to jail for a child in the early stages of delinquent behavior. Group homes are usually less intensive than youth centers or boot camps, and studies show their success rates are usually higher than jails or conventional detention centers.

2. Look into youth centers. A youth center usually offers classes and counseling designed to curb destructive behavior. Many youth centers also have on-going support services to help former residents successfully transition back into society.

3. Explore boot camps. Traditionally thought of as a precursor to military training, modern camps aimed at juvenile delinquents can be quite successful at transforming wayward teens. These can be privately-run or state-sponsored.

4. Understand that military schools are not commonly thought of as good alternatives to jail for juvenile delinquents. While they may be able to help problem teens, most will not tolerate continued bad behavior. In addition, parents of students who are expelled or dishonorably discharged from military school forfeit any tuition paid.

5. Speak with an attorney (preferably one who specializes in juvenile crime) about the possibility of finding alternatives to jail for your child. Depending on the severity of the crime committed, jail may be the only option.

6. Contact Family First Aid for a list of treatment centers, boot camps and group homes in your area (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Your child has the right to be represented by a competent and prepared attorney at any court hearing. If money is tight and you can't afford to hire an attorney on your own, a qualified attorney will be appointed to represent your child.
• The psychological effects of criminal behavior can be devastating for your child; time in jail can exacerbate these effects. Every effort should be made to explore viable alternatives to jail. If jail is the only option, try to get your child into counseling as soon as possible to minimize long-term psychological damage.