According to Greenwood (2008), researchers have recognized 12 "established" delinquency-prevention programs that have shown remarkable improvement in their participants. They also identified an additional 20-30 that demonstrated promise. Shifting towards evidence-based practices derived from information gathered from successful programs can help increase the likelihood of success in other programs through implementation of effective standardized practice. Evidence from school-based programs show remarkable prevention in many areas. "Successful school-based programs can prevent drug use, delinquency, anti-social behavior, and early school drop-out" (Greenwood, 2008, pp. 185).
Greenwood also highlights community-based programs, much like school-based programs, can deter first-time delinquents from added happenstances with the justice system by providing skill development and personal development. As evidence suggests, the most effective community programs stress family communications and provide services and incentive to the adults who oversee and instruct the child. Much like St. Leo University, whose core beliefs include acquiring and learning skills, interconnectedness, and personal development, these programs help the child or adolescent in a manner that builds them up and prepares them for the future rather than preparing them for singular events or emotional aspects of society. The school's core beliefs offer practical application and ongoing improvement much like the successful prevention programs. Most importantly emphasis on community makes St. Leo University's core beliefs stand out from the rest and what effective prevention programs believe in. Community is necessary for the betterment of people, especially criminals. However, many times it becomes difficult to implement the methods of successful prevention programs because the government and school exhibit a lack of commitment and involvement. "Progress in implementing effective programs, says Greenwood, is slow. Although more than ten years of solid evidence is now available on evidence-based programs, only about 5% of youth who should...
185).
Conclusion
The most fruitful programs are those that thwart adolescents and children from participating in criminal conducts from the start. However when juveniles do commit offenses, it is important to implement evidence-based practices to avoid re-offense. Many programs that are successful are so because of community involvement and use of a multi-faceted approaches to treatment. Medications to treat aggression, therapy, along with adult supervision, and acquisition of skills helps the juvenile learn skills and coping strategies to deal with the challenges of life in a positive law-abiding way.
Still, even with evidence pointing to the success of certain programs, only a few states like Florida and Washington have initiated executing evidence-based programs. The test is to push these modifications into the majority of the juvenile justice system. Once the majority see the effectiveness of such programs, a standardized practice can be implemented resulting in major decreases in juvenile criminal activity and future adult criminal activity. Juveniles become adults. If adults never got the help they needed when they were kids, chances of re-offense are higher than in those who received help. Inclusion of evidence-based practice in prevention programs can help minimize criminal activity in juveniles.
References
Borduin, C.M., Mann, B.J., Cone, L.T., Henggeler, S.W., & Al, E. (1995). Multisystemic treatment of serious juvenile offenders: Long-term prevention of criminality and violence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(4), 569-578.
Connor, D.F., Saxena, K., Ferziger, R., Daniolos, P.T., Chang, K.D., Carlson, G.A., et al. (2006). Juvenile maladaptive aggression: a Review of Prevention, Treatment, and Service Configuration and a Proposed Research Agenda. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 67(05), 808-820.
Greenwood, P. (2008). Prevention and Intervention Programs for Juvenile Offenders. The Future of Children, 18(2), 185-210.
