Rehabilitation is the most effective method of preventing recidivism because it addresses the juvenile’s needs by intervening and modifying the underlying risk factors. These risk factors can influence the juvenile’s behaviors and increasetheir likelihood to recidivism. Although statistics about the rate of recidivism are scarce due to varying justice system across states, the issue remains a major problem (McMasters, 2015). Studies have proven that different people react differently to different interventions. Various juvenile assessment centers have initiated
Functional Family Therapy (FFT)
FFT is family centered intervention and prevention program. The juvenile assessment centers use this program since it is effective in dealing with the high-risk juveniles between the ages of 11 to 18. FFT comprises three important phases, which include behavior change, generalization, and motivation/engagement (McMasters, 2015). It is important to note that the families where the juveniles come from play an important role in the youth’s behavior. For instance, engagement/motivation phase emphasizes on the existing negativity in the family. The family negativity is an important factor in regards to high-risk families.
Behavior change is another important factor in preventing juvenile recidivism. This phase assists the juveniles to reduce and eliminate the problematic behaviors by teaching themand their families important skills, such as communications, conflict management, efficient parenting, and problem solving (Bostic, 2014). Lack of communication between the youths and their parents has a great impact to the youths’ behavior. Parents who maintain good communication with their children can guide their children in the right direction. The generalization phase assists families to avoid instances that could lead to relapse and provides access to resourceful material.
Multi-Systematic Therapy (MST)
MST is an effective approach that addresses different aspects of severe antisocial behavior portrayed by the youths in their main settings, such as where they work, play and live. The four-months, sixty hours therapy is a home-based model, where the therapist assembles manageable caseloads of between four and six families. Notably, no barriers in regards to access of the services for these families. The focus of MST is to empower the parents to the improve their relationship with the youth (McMasters, 2015). This therapy focuses on effective parental control and creates a strong support system by engaging service providers, family members, and friends. MST is an important approach because it endeavors to remove the existing barriers between the parents and the youth that hinder successful relationship. The obstacles that MST attempt to eliminate include parent’s substance abuse, stressful atmosphere at home, and the poor relation among the parents.
MST also comprises of treatment plans such as cognitive behavioral therapy, which vary from one individual to the next. The treatment is family focused facilitated by the therapist who encourage family members to develop their treatment goals. Studies indicate that MST approach has 25 to 70 percent success in reducing juvenile recidivism, especially for chronic and violent offenders (Harris, Lockwood, Mengers, & Stoodley, 2011). The success of this approach is also evident in the reduction of general delinquency and aggression as well as substance abuse. Thus, the improvement of family functionality plays a significant role in the prevention of juvenile recidivism.
Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC)
MTFC is an alternative behavioral treatment for youths aged between 11 to 18 years. The treatment mainly focuses on the juveniles who portray signs of emotional disturbance, chronic antisocial behavior, and general delinquency. The approach is mainly based on a social learning theory model that describes how people behave to different social contexts that affect the existing prosocial behavioral patterns. Among the practices utilized by this approach are behavioral training of the parents, family therapy, youth supportive therapy, and youths’ skills training (McMasters, 2015). The approach comprises three important components, including the family, the treatment team, and MTFC parents. Studies indicate that MTFC has portrayed success due to its feasibility and cost effectiveness in comparison to other treatment models.
Conclusion
The juvenile assessment center appreciates the fact that total reform goes beyond the mere punishment of the offenders. In the attempt to rehabilitate the juveniles, programs, such as FFT, MTFC, and MST, havebeen successful in the prevention of juvenile recidivism. One of the evident features in all the three approaches is the importance of family involvement for the recovery of the juvenile. Behavior change is another striking aspect feature in the three approaches. Juveniles are assisted to change their behavior to become more responsible when faced with varying situations. All the three approaches are family-based models and are specially designed for young people between 11 to 18 years.
References
Bostic, B. (2014, March 11). Reducing Recidivism for Juvenile Criminal Offenders. Retrieved from http://yvpc.sph.umich.edu/2014/03/11/exploring-rehabilitationprograms-juvenile-criminal-offenders/
Harris, P., Lockwood, B., Mengers, L., & Stoodley, B. (2011). Measuring Recidivism in Juvenile Corrections. Journal of Juvenile Justice, 1(1). Retrieved from http://www.journalofjuvjustice.org/jojj0101/article01.htm
McMasters, A. (2015). Effective Strategies for Preventing Recidivism Among Juveniles. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.wou.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1057&context=honors_theses
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