Juvenile Justice Authority in Maine - Term Paper Example

 Juvenile Justice Authority in Maine Introduction This paper is aimed to research the juvenile justice authority in the state of Maine. The paper begins with an introduction, a reflection on the juvenile justice system of Maine, its overview, its important activities, and a conclusion. Examples of the Long Creek Youth Development Center (LCYDC) and the Mountain View Youth Development Center (MVYDC) have been used to explain the nature and function of the juvenile facilities of the state. Journals, books, and credible Government and educational websites have been used as references. The Juvenile Justice System In order to explore the juvenile justice authority activities in Maine, we must first understand the juvenile justice system of the state. The juvenile justice system in Maine is functional inside the greater juvenile justice framework of the United States. The theory behind this framework is based on extensive research, experience, and sociological introspection. Critical theorists and sociologists hold juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice in the terms of a class structured capitalist society. “They point to economic and social inequalities that increase the probability of lower-class youth turning to crime because so few opportunities are open to them. Critical criminologists contend that the origin of the concept of delinquency and juvenile justice in America is based on economic and class differences.” (Hesse and Lawrence, 2010, p. 59) The juvenile justice authority in Maine practically implements the conceptual framework based on this theoretical perspective. Under the auspices of Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC), the juvenile services of the state seek to establish a society oriented approach that will give rise to a collaborative and supportive social system including the individuals along with their communities and families. Thus, the factors that put children at risk can be addressed and necessary action can be taken in proper time. Technically, the resultant functionary is both proactive and amply oriented to the social needs. Juvenile Justice in Maine: An Overview The Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) regulates juvenile justice in the state through its Division of Juvenile Services, which is the main juvenile justice authority in the region. In their publication Taking Measure, the authorities have explicitly explained their mission in the following words: “To promote public safety by ensuring that juvenile offenders are provided with education, treatment and other services that teach skills and competencies; strengthen prosocial behaviors and require accountability to victims and communities.” (MDOC, Division of Juvenile Services, 2007, p. 3) The structure of the service framework is primarily based on the youth development centers. The two most prominent centers are: 1. The Long Creek Youth Development Center (LCYDC) 2. The Mountain View Youth Development Center (MVYDC) LCYDC: The center was originally named the Boys Training Center established in 1853. After several remodeling and adaptation drives, “it continues to redefine many of its program functions to enable a total multi-disciplined team approach in working with those committed and held within the facility.” (MDOC, 2011a) MVYDC: This facility started operation in 1998. “This secure facility replaced the use of county jails within the ten counties as the primary detention location for juveniles pending court action prior to sentencing” (MDOC, 2001b) It also serves the purpose of brief confinements. Moreover, the juvenile services have collaborated with the University of Southern Maine in order to embark on different social-scientific projects. These projects address the evolving needs of the juvenile justice framework. Many of the projects are designed to collected and exploit statistical data regarding juvenile delinquency and its effects in the state. The academic and scientific importance of this collaborative framework is undeniable and rather unique in many aspects. (Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, 2011) Major Activities The juvenile justice authority promotes and develops wide spectrum intervention systems in the vicinity of the youth’s family and community. Hence, a collaborative approach is adopted and implemented. However, continued staff professionalism is also an imperative. Synchronization inside the Department and communication among the private, local, and state agencies is also actively achieved. The staffs are engaged in security and supervision too so that the juvenile offenders may not commit crimes again. (MDOC, Division of Juvenile Services, 2007) Major After-Care and Reintegration Programs Some major programs of the juvenile justice authority are enumerated below: 1. Functional Family Therapy: This is a program that helps the juvenile offenders to realize their mistakes by the means of developing a collaborative framework between their families, communities, and the correctional authorities. 2. Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care: This is a multifaceted program mainly based on the principle of continued psychiatric intervention. In this program, individual specific behavioral solutions are developed. 3. Juvenile Drug Treatment Court: The program seeks to address both the medical and legal issues related to the young drug addicts or their involvement in the rackets. 4. Community Sexual Behavior Treatment: This is another program, which is heavily based on the principle of psychiatric intervention. Through this integration program, the socio-sexual behavior of the juvenile offenders is improved. The program is primarily aimed at rehabilitating the sexual offenders. 5. Juvenile Risk Reduction Program: This is a proactive campaign that aims to address the needs of the children living in high risk criminal environment. 6. Behavioral Health Program: Psychiatric intervention program that aims to reintegrate the juvenile offenders with the mainstream society by eliminating cognitive abnormalities. (MDOC, Division of Juvenile Services, 2007) Moreover, the authorities also aim at addressing the special education needs of the offenders. According to the experts like Wilson (2000), special education can be very instrumental in the course of the correctional and rehabilitation processes. Special education can not only eliminate cognitive and behavioral discrepancies but also impart the much necessary knowledge for professional growth in later life. Juvenile Facilities LCYDC and MVYDC are the major juvenile facilities in the region. Apart from security, custody, and care, the facilities provide rehabilitation to its residents. Diagnostic services and court evaluation programs are held in suitable intervals. Through educational and vocational training, the young offenders are helped to prepare themselves for respectable occupations. Moreover they are facilitated by the various other volunteer, social, spiritual, and medical service programs of the correctional centers. (MDOC, 2011a; MDOC, 2011b) Research and Analysis Division of Juvenile Services has collaborated with Muskie School of Public Service so that various projects needing scholastic contribution and specialization may be initiated. For example, “The Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (JJAG) directed an initiative to explore alternatives to secure detention with the goal of outlining strategies to reduce the use of secure detention in Maine.” (Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, 2011) This project entailed extensive surveying, briefing, and reporting that involved juvenile justice professionals. Moreover, different stakeholders in the correctional process have been helped to come together and formulate “system reform recommendations will suggest new funding strategies, mechanisms of collaboration, policy initiatives, and improved program components and assessment.” (Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine, 2011) The Juvenile Justice Task Force has been a major success in this context. Conclusion The success of the juvenile justice system in Maine helps us to understand that the traditional methods in this realm can be sophisticated, and if necessary, replaced. According to Ross (1994, p. 1037), “In no legal sphere are the strains between the possible virtues of discretion and the rational protections of procedures more pronounced than in the realm of juvenile justice.” The authorities have carefully addressed this issue and provided us with ways to achieve youth development, successful rehabilitation, and juvenile justice. Reference Hesse, M., & Lawrence, R. (2010). Juvenile Justice: The Essentials. Thousand Oaks: SAGE. MDOC. (2011b). Corrections: Mountain View Youth Development Center. Retrieved November 3, 2011, from http://www.maine.gov/corrections/juvenile/Facilities/MVYDC/index.htm MDOC. (2011a). Long Creek Youth Development Center: Juvenile Services: Maine Department of Corrections. Retrieved November 4, 2011, from http://www.maine.gov/corrections/juvenile/Facilities/LCYDC/index.htm MDOC, Division of Juvenile Services. (2007). Taking Measure. Augusta: Author. Muskie School of Public Service, University of Southern Maine. (2011). Maine Statistical Analysis Center: Juveniles. Retrieved November 2, 2011, from http://muskie.usm.maine.edu/justiceresearch/juvenile.html Ross, C. (1994). Disposition in a discretionary regime: Punishment and rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system. B.C.L. Rev , 1037-1053. Wilson, J. (2000). Special Education and Juvenile Justice System. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice. Read More