Youth delinquent behaviors have been a consistent problem facing families in the recent decades. These behaviors cause tension within family systems and often result in serious consequences not only for the youth exhibiting behaviors, but also for the entirety of the youth’s family. Recent research has provided several different effective treatment and prevention techniques for youth delinquency. Multisystemic therapy, a therapy focusing on the importance of external factors as cause for youth delinquent behaviors has become among the leading intervention strategies for delinquency in the United States. Multisystemic therapy (MST) is an effective treatment for youth delinquency, because it has proven long-term success, is attempting to incorporate …show more content…
Recent research has shown that MST has a significant long lasting effect on the individuals who participated in treatment (Sawyer & Borduin, 2011). In a 4-year follow up study, a significant reduction for continued delinquent behavior was found for delinquent youth treated with MST (Sawyer & Borduin, 2011). For youth participating in individual therapy, “the odds of recidivism for any felony offense during follow-up were approximately twice as high” as youth involved with MST (Sawyer & Borduin, 2011, p. 647). This significant difference between the long-term outcomes of individual therapy and MST points to MST being the superior treatment strategy. Through various studies, a pattern of substantially lower recidivism rates amongst juvenile offenders treated by MST has emerged (Timmons-Mitchell, Bender, Kishna, & Mitchell, 2006). A study conducted in 1992 showed a 42% decrease in arrests, and following studies from 1995 and1997 subsequently found a 73% reduction in arrest rates and a 26% decrease in recidivism for individuals treated with MST (Timmons-Mitchell et al., 2006). These results are cohesive and confirm the success of groundbreaking strategies utilized in MST treatment …show more content…
This aspect of MST is an important component to the success of the treatment (Tighe et al., 2012). Unlike many other interventions that focus simply on correcting the youth’s current behaviors, MST “uses a social-ecological approach and aims to improve the young person’s behavior and to prevent reoffending by affecting the multiple systems that surround the young person” (Tighe et al., 2012, p.189). This concept differentiates MST from other leading treatments for delinquent behaviors and has been formed as the result of years of compiled research (Walters, 2016). MST is implemented using research-based treatment options and is a community-based, family-driven treatment that views the client as the entire ecology of the youth (Walters, 2016). The practices present in MST that are based on the research of family systems theory and the ecological model have propelled MST to be a leading treatment method (Walters, 2016). The research of these two theories has been central to the development of MST and is likely one of the largest factors in the emerging success of this therapy (Walters,
Hinton, W., Sheperis, C., & Sims, P. (2000). Family based approaches to juvenile delinquency. The Family Journal, 11(2), 167-173.
Research suggests that the Scared Straight style program is flawed in that it does not take into account the way a child sees an incarcerated adult, and in that it increases recidivism rather than decreases it. However, parents of children who have participated in M.A.C.E. have praised the program, and claimed that it changed the attitude and behavior of their child. Parents of children who have participated in Multisystemic Therapy have made similar claims, stating that there has been an improved overall attitude in their child. The effectiveness of MST versus Scared Straight is difficult to gauge, as parents have similar positive things to say about their preferred program, and both have their drawbacks, Scared Straight’s being the rate of recidivism, and MST’s being the high initial price. However, effectiveness aside, their goal is the same: to prevent future crime.
Howell, J. & Lipsey, M. (2012). Delinquency prevention: A broader view of evidence-based programs reveals more options for state juvenile justice systems. Criminology & Public Policy 11(3), 515-523
Students that have been labeled “delinquent” need help in beating the odds to become successful adults. As C. Ogletree discusses article, Total Reform for a Broken System, a program needs to be created that includes family involvement and support to create concrete goals and means for students to achieve them, in the aim of becoming successful students throughout each school until graduation. It is a great goal for school institutions to strive in changing students’ behavior for the better, giving them a fair opportunity in education. Not to single out those of low-income homes, race, or learning disabilities. It should be the goal to get to the heart of misbehavior that is introducing so many students into the juvenile justice system. School institutions need to be place of supportive and structured learning from day one. Students enter school as young children, for the first time away from parents, relying on educators to guide them throughout their day. School Institutions should look for a positive approach that emphasizes on individual strengths to promote learning. The restorative circles program is having been introduced into school systems as an alternative to the zero tolerance policies. It creates an involvement of communication between all parties in any issue. Whether it be good or bad, it offers support for students to discuss issues and ideas, opening a line of communication between parents, teachers, and students, which will be key a student’s
The Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a home-based treatment program developed by Henggler in 1970 that focuses on the factors of family and community. The program is intended to equip parents of troubled youth with tools to handle the difficulties of their behavior. The MST therapists work with the most difficult juveniles, male and female, between the ages of 12 and 17 who tend to have extensive criminal arrest histories. The MST concentrates on numerous aspects contributing to a delinquent lifestyle, such as juveniles’ homes, families, schools, teachers, neighborhoods, and friends. The psychoanalysts go to a child’s home and work with parents in order to put them in control over their kids.
Handling a young fragile mind can be difficult; but studies have shown therapeutic rehabilitation is key in not causing unrepairable damage. The majority of youth offenders has been exposed to harsh environments and rough upbringings. Years of exposure to violence and neglect can create a sort of brain-washing. It is imperative to focus on important aspects of life in order to transform the mind of the juveniles. An efficient method that involves keeping the juvenile in the community is referred to as multisystemic therapy. “Multisystemic therapy is an intensive therapy program which focuses on numerous aspects the delinquent’s life: family, school, social and other unique factors which may relate to the behavior” (May, Osmond, and Billick 298). When using the multisystemic approach juveniles decrease association with other delinquents, juvenile and adult. The therapeutic method gives an individual approach on focusing deeper on the root issues and helps the juvenile renew their minds and thought process. In the end, adopting multisystemic therapy decreases the likelihood of the youth continuing in a criminal
Aftercare programs are used often with juveniles in hopes of preventing recidivism. Recidivism is of high concern to the criminal justice system in that the safety of the public depends on low recidivism rates. Juvenile Incarceration facilities have programs set up, such as education and pro-social behavior classes, to promote bettering the juvenile’s life. However, research has shown that the progress made while incarcerated slowly declines upon release. This is testimony to the importance of aftercare programs in preventing recidivism.
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Probation as a period of time given to someone who commits a crime and instead of being incarcerated are allowed to spend their sentence in the community based on conditions set aside by the courts. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/probation) The task was given to me to build the ultimate model of Probation Services. After careful consideration and great thought this is the route I decided to take. I believe that parents play a great role in some of the decisions their children make. The decisions children make today are a reflection of their parents. My focus on this probation model is to place both child and parent in an institution were they would undergo a period of restoration of family values, rehabilitation, parenting courses, academia and counselling. The ages of these juveniles will range between the ages of ten (10) to seventeen (17) years old.Therefore I stand for institutionalized probation and how this probation will assist in instilling family values.
The goal of deterrence has its limits because rules and former sanctions, as well anti-criminal modeling and reinforcement are met with young rebellious minds. Traditional counseling and diversion, which are integral aspects of community corrections, can sometimes be ineffective, and studies have shown that sometimes a natural self intervention can take place as the youth grows older; resulting in the youth outgrowing delinquency. 2. What is the difference between a.. What are foster homes like?
... recidivism, and whether specific treatment and implementation strategies are more effective than others with youth transitioning from residential confinement back to their families and communities. Research has not shown that having a family-focused support program to be effective in some situations (Journal of Juvenile Justice, 2012).
Youth who are released from incarceration are more likely to succeed if they have access to services that can help them prosper in a non-institutional environment. An effective re-entry and prevention program begins before a youth leaves the facility and often involves the family, sometimes friends, and the community. Early intervention prevents the onset of delinquent behavior and supports the development of youth. The best ways to make juvenile re-entry and prevention programs more successful and cost effective are through evidence-based programs.
...gh juveniles. Intervention at an early age when juveniles are still easily influenced could be beneficial in breaking this cycle of criminal behavior in their family. It would be difficult to target the adults as some may see no wrong in their actions, and also because they have already developed and become accustomed to this type of life style. Attempting to correct a grown adult so they don’t pass on their behaviors to their children would be nonproductive. The best way to go about ceasing criminal behavior would be to intervene with delinquent juveniles through the school system or after school programs. I would not suggest techniques such as “Scared Straight” the TV program that attempts to scare youth by taking them to local prisons. After school programs that encourage delinquents to be apart of a positive atmosphere would likely be the best tactic.
When should a juvenile offender receive his or her life sentence? Someone who breaks the law when they have committed a crime should be punished because it is their responsibility to do their own time. Juveniles should not have special treatment for their misdemeanors when they are young because it could lead to financial instability and bad decisions in the future. Overall, juveniles should receive their punishment immediately because of a crime they committed to expose them to the unfortunate consequences they have chosen for themselves.
Studies show, that when these children are sent to these places, it does more harm than good. Sending these kids off isn’t the answer. Sending them to boot camp isn’t the answer, these results show that merely imposing harsh discipline on young offenders or frightening them is unlikely to help them refrain from problematic behavior. Instead teens must learn enduring tools—including better social skills, ways to communicate with parents and peers, and anger management techniques—that help them avoid future aggression. Several effective interventions do just that, including cognitive-behavior therapy, a method intended to change maladaptive thinking patterns and behaviors, and multi-systemic therapy, in which parents, schools and communities develop programs to reinforce positive behaviors.
Hinton, W., Sheperis, C., & Sims, P. (2000). Family based approaches to juvenile delinquency. The Family Journal, 11(2), 167-173.