National Association of Youth Courts
From Service-Learning Wiki
| This program was profiled in Growing to Greatness 2005. |
The concept of youth courts is simple: instead of receiving sentences from adults, youth whose cases are heard in youth court programs are sentenced by their peers. Youth court programs emerged throughout the United States of America in the late 1960s, with a handful of programs and few resources. In 1994, the American Probation and Parole Association, with support from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, began actively supporting youth court programs. In 1999, OJJDP established the National Youth Court Center, now the National Association of Youth Courts, which is managed by APPA. Today, with the resources they receive from the NAYC, youth courts are thriving.
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Service-Learning in Youth Courts
Although explicit service-learning objectives are not typical in youth court programs, Tracy Godwin Mullins, NAYC Director, says there is a trend toward more explicit service-learning programming. The NAYC encourages youth court programs to develop service-learning objectives. “I think it is only a matter of time before more youth court programs adopt principles of service-learning,” says Godwin Mullins.
No set model exists for youth court programs. Justice system agencies manage some programs, while schools and non-profit organizations operate others. Program models differ, but all successful youth court programs require community partnerships. For example, programs run by justice system agencies often involve schools in recruitment and training. In turn, many youth court programs operated by schools (e.g., as part of a civics course or as an extra curricular program) gain support from community organizations, including law enforcement and justice agency officials. There is also no specified model for young people’s roles in youth court programs. Youth court participants serve as attorneys, jurors, bailiffs, clerks, and even judges. In addition, young people sometimes volunteer as youth advisory committee members or assist in training efforts.
Service-learning fits within the goals of the youth courts construct. Participants make a substantial commitment, learn about the justice system, and help reduce recidivism. Along the way, youth courts are transforming the traditional view of community service from merely punitive, to something positive that engages young people in meaningful service to their communities.
Scope of Service-Learning
In 1994, approximately 78 youth court programs existed in the United States. Today, with support from OJJDP and NHTSA, the NAYC acts as an information clearinghouse and provides training, technical assistance, and resources to more than 940 youth court programs in 48 states and the District of Columbia. The NAYC estimates that 70,000 or more youth volunteers participate in youth court programs.
Intended Outcomes
Youth court programs teach young offenders about the effects of their actions, with the ultimate goal of reducing recidivism. Youth courts also provide real-world learning experiences for youth volunteers, with the goal that young people learn about the justice system, and improve their leadership and public speaking skills. OJJDP funded an evaluation of youth courts and found positive impacts, including reduced recidivism, and increased parent and youth satisfaction. The 2002 evaluation report showed average recidivism rates of the four sites studied to be eight percent for youth court participants, compared to rates of 18 percent for control groups.
