• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

  • Soup Du Jour
  • People
  • Government
  • Campaign
  • Business
  • Education
  • Insights
  • Video
You are here: Home / Soup Du Jour / ICYMI: Miami Herald: Despite challenges, Florida’s juvenile justice system continues to improve

ICYMI: Miami Herald: Despite challenges, Florida’s juvenile justice system continues to improve

Posted on November 10, 2017

Despite challenges, Florida’s juvenile justice system continues to improve
By Shay Bilchik
Miami Herald
November 10, 2017
Recent Herald articles about the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) raise significant concerns about the agency’s operation. Unfortunately, they paint an incomplete picture.
Six years ago, DJJ embarked on an effort to strategically transform the way it serves at-risk and delinquent youth. This has been a daunting task filled with challenges, but led by a committed group of policymakers and practitioners, the agency has demonstrated great successes along the way.
…
DJJ’s path has not been perfect, but what I know from firsthand contact with that system is that its efforts have been earnest and significant. And while there have been horrible incidents of misconduct by staff, each has been met with an appropriate response by DJJ to address the behavior and ensure that it does not recur. At the same time, DJJ’s leadership has not wavered in its commitment to improve the overall system and how it serves youth, including the prevention of delinquent behavior.
…
Indeed, now is the time for Florida’s leadership to build on DJJ’s successes and further improve the system by investing in high quality staff, as well as smaller residential placements that are closer to where youth live and can successfully transition back into their communities.
…
DJJ is setting the standard for system reform, including its work around screening and assessment, the use of structured decision-making tools, and data analysis which is positively influencing practice across the country. Indeed, tens of thousands of youth are being well served by the Department of each year.
Is DJJ perfect in its work? No, but it is far better than the Herald’s reporting reflects.
SHAY BILCHIK IS RESEARCH PROFESSOR/CENTER DIRECTOR AT THE CENTER FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY’S MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY. HE SERVED FORMERLY AS AN ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION IN THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

Share this article! Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Filed Under: Soup Du Jour Tagged With: Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, ICYMI, Miami Herald

Primary Sidebar

    Submit News    

FHCA Joins Governor DeSantis to Highlight Long Term Care Vaccinations

FHCA Executive Director Emmett Reed today joined Governor Ron DeSantis in a press conference in Jacksonville … [Read More...] about FHCA Joins Governor DeSantis to Highlight Long Term Care Vaccinations

Governor Ron DeSantis: Florida Putting Seniors First and Leading the Nation in Vaccinations for Those 65+

Governor Ron DeSantis today provided an update on Florida’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts, … [Read More...] about Governor Ron DeSantis: Florida Putting Seniors First and Leading the Nation in Vaccinations for Those 65+

Florida Approaching 1 Million Seniors Vaccinated

Governor Ron DeSantis joined 100-year-old WWII veteran Henry Sayler as he received vaccine Governor Ron … [Read More...] about Florida Approaching 1 Million Seniors Vaccinated

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Newsletter signup

Stay in the loop! Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive a brief recap of the week's most popular stories.

Footer

News

  • Soup Du Jour
  • People
  • Government
  • Campaign
  • Business
  • Education
  • Insights
  • Video

About Us 

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Submit News
  • Contact Us

Keep in Touch

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2021
Terms & Conditions

© Copyright 2021 Capital Soup · All Rights Reserved ·