The Howard Circuit Court, Office of Juvenile Services has adopted the Balance Approach and Restorative Justice model in its approach to youth offenders. This approach, sponsored by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, emphasizes the need for the juvenile justice system to become more responsive to the needs of the victims, offenders and the community. The Balanced Approach/Restorative Justice (BARJ) model focuses on the balance of three objectives (accountability, community protection, and competency development) and each gaining tangible benefits from their interaction with the juvenile justice system.
The Balanced Approach/Restorative Justice model builds on research and practical experience with outcome focused intervention strategies. The emphasis focuses on three programming priorities:
- Accountability
When a youth commits an offense he/she will take responsibility for their behavior and take action to repair the harm.
- Community Protection
The Juvenile Justice System shall provide community protection through prevention, treatment, and supervision services that corresponds to the risks presented by the juvenile offender.
- Competency Development
The Juvenile Justice System will assist juvenile offenders in acquiring the knowledge and skills that make it possible for them to become productive, connected, and law abiding members of their community.
This approach to the juvenile justice system coupled with SAFEPOLICY/SHOCAP strategy and the emphasis on the family allows for more effective community involvement and prevention/intervention services within the juvenile justice system.
