|
In January 1971 a remarkable event occurred that permanently altered conventional assumptions about justice administration. Jerome G Miller, then commissioner of youth corrections in Massachusetts, systemically carried out the most sweeping reforms in correctional history. He closed the state's five juvenile reform schools and transferred over 1500 youths to an assortment of community-based programs. These actions, which were at first greeted with skepticism and derision by much of the correctional establishment, proved to be revolutionary in changing popular assumptions about the treatment of youth in trouble. Research revealed that when not subject to abusive prison-like conditions, young offenders were less likely to display violent and criminally prone behaviors later on. Most importantly, well-designed and properly implemented rehabilitation programs substantially reduce recidivism among even the most difficult offenders.
While the trend toward punitive public policies in recent years has undermined these important lessons, the legacy of Miller's reforms lives on. A growing number of jurisdictions throughout the United States are recognizing the importance of incarceration alternatives to promote offender treatment and social reintegration. Without an adequate range of support services, current criminal justice policies founder on the mistaken belief that offender behavior can be positively impacted by the harsh conditions that pervade modern correctional institutions. By failing to address crime's root causes, criminal justice policies that rely on incarceration exacerbate public safety risks as evidenced by recidivism rates around the country that exceed 70%.
The Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ) was established to promote balanced and humane criminal justice policies that reduce incarceration and promote long-term public safety. CJCJ's mission is pursued through the development of model programs, technical assistance, research/policy analysis, and public education.
The quality of our work is demonstrated through our various initiatives. For example, this past year, in partnership with the City of Oakland's Safe Passages Initiative, CJCJ established a multi agency collaborative to provide comprehensive case management services to the city's highest risk youth. The program is modeled on our Detention Diversion Advocacy Program, which has received national recognition for reducing detention populations and demonstrating the effectiveness of community-based services to the most challenging offender populations. Demonstrating that community-centered interventions can succeed with a more difficult offender population strengthens the argument for prison alternatives. Currently, CJCJ operates programs in San Francisco, CA, Oakland, CA and Washington, DC. In addition to our juvenile programs, CJCJ also operates model pretrial services for special populations and residential drug treatment programs for adult offenders. Finally, CJCJ's Sentencing Service Program is a national leader in providing independent pre-sentence investigation and mitigation reports.
Along with our direct services and technical assistance, CJCJ produces research and policy studies. CJCJ's policy efforts are currently centered on sentencing and reentry, drug policy reform, and juvenile justice reform. By working in partnership with all major criminal justice stakeholders including legislators, correctional administrators, district attorney offices, defender advocates, community-based organizations, and civil rights groups, CJCJ plays a leadership role in building a broad consensus on policy options.
Because humane treatment of individuals convicted of criminal acts is not a popular issue in today's political climate, reforming criminal justice systems is a daunting challenge. An effective criminal justice system is one that focuses on creating fewer victims not better criminals. After nearly two decades, CJCJ is a premier leader in criminal justice reform. Our success is rooted in our commitment and determination to assume the most difficult challenges and not become complacent with conventional approaches.
In the coming years, CJCJ will expand its efforts to build a broad consensus on criminal justice reform. Only through a more humane and sensible criminal justice system will the goal of greater public safety and social justice be attained.
Sincerely Yours,
Daniel Macallair, Executive Director
|
