Kids training probation officers
This project would be aimed at helping young people involved in the youth justice system develop a training curriculum directed at informing probation officers about the processes that help young people desist from crime.
Idea Description
This project would draw from empirical knowledge about young people's experiences in the youth justice system. It stems from a commitment to making sure that young people's voices and perspectives are heard in the development of 'best practices' in the criminal justice system. Young people charged with crimes are well-equipped to express their knowledge and perceptions of the fairness of the system and how that fairness links to their investment in the law. They may also be able to make a contribution to our understandings about the processes of desistance from crime, and in particular what youth justice actors can do to facilitate that process.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
I would work with a group of young people that are part of an existing empirical research project to develop and pilot a training curriculum for police officers and probation officers in New York City.
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I think another question is: "How do you get the alleged victim and their loved ones on board?"
Great idea. I think that getting young people involved and actually listening to what they have to say is HUGE. On a systematic level like you're describing, if we regularly involved young people in the process, I think there's a real possibility that they would respond positively. Even if the mere act of listening to them doesn't help (which it might) they could definitely provide probation officers with valuable perspective. Love it. Good luck!