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August/September 2006 Handle with Care: Girls in the Juvenile Justice Systemby Wendy HendersonOver the past decade, scientists have uncovered some of what makes adolescents different from adults, and what makes girls different from boys. Just as juveniles need to be treated differently as a group from adult offenders, female offenders need to be treated differently from their male counterparts. In Wisconsin, about 14 percent of juveniles detained overall are girls (1). The percentage of females who go through detention is slightly higher than those girls committed to juvenile correctional facilities. Although proportionally a relatively small number of girls are in secure confinement, there are enough girls to need their own services and programs. Milwaukee is attempting through its Children's Court to deal with the unique problems girls face. Total youth referrals to the Milwaukee County Children's Court declined 27 percent between 2001 and 2004. However, there remains a deep concern for the welfare and future of girls in a juvenile justice system conceptually anchored in the characteristics and needs of male offenders. According to Milwaukee Juvenile Court Judge Mary Triggiano, "girls come to Children's Court with a plethora of issues that in many ways are very different than their male counterparts. Delinquent girls are more likely to be involved in the child welfare system; to have runaway behaviors; to have untreated health and mental health issues; to have relationship issues and to have been sexually abused at an early age. We must design suitable, effective programs and treatment options for these girls with these issues in mind." The Old WayFor a long time, girls in the juvenile justice system had very limited programming options. The programs that were available were typically boys programming that would be run separately for girls. However, much of the programming available to boys simply wasn't there for girls. In 2001, the American Bar Association and the National Bar Association jointly released a 65-page report entitled Justice by Gender: The Lack of Appropriate Prevention, Diversion and Treatment Alternatives for Girls in the Justice System. This report details both the lack of gender-specific treatment for girls and the trend of girls being locked up for lesser offenses than boys. Fortunately, since the release of that report, there has been a shift in focus to girls in the justice system. The New WayWith a greater understanding of the developmental needs of girls, the justice system is beginning to provide gender-specific programming. There are still service gaps for girls and some programming that is only available for boys, but there is a push at the federal and state levels to make sure that there is appropriate programming for girls' needs. The Governor's Juvenile Justice Commission has made girls' programming a priority, and the Office of Justice Assistance is providing funding to a number of programs developed specifically for girls. What do girls need?A disproportionate number of girls in the juvenile justice system have some sort of trauma history. Therefore, it is important to make sure that girls receive the trauma treatment they need, in addition to whatever other sorts of services may be available through the courts. It is not sufficient to simply segregate girls from boys, because teenage girls have different needs and respond to different types of treatment than adolescent boys. In gender-responsive detention reform, there are several practices that have been successful in addressing the shortcomings of integrated programming. One of these practices is an active collaboration with community-based services. For many juveniles, and especially for girls who are more highly motivated by relationships than most boys, strong connections in the community can be the key to successful reform.(2) For example, model programming in Boston provides girls with after-school into evening community-provided programs such as workshops in expressive arts, prostitution prevention, and empowerment. Programming may also include access to job training and placement services, and health assessments. By partnering with communities, juvenile systems provide girls with meaningful ties that facilitate the transition into the community.(3) Another model that has great potential for girls, especially girls who run away, is the reception center model. In conversations with juvenile court judges, some of the most difficult situations they say they deal with are girls who are prone to running away. Some judges feel they need to put girls in very secure settings so they do not run away. Under this model, there are either home-based or residential services. A counselor is assigned to visit with the girl, assess her needs, explain the court process, and ensure that her needs are met. Given the need for girls to have ongoing, meaningful relationships, this model has great potential because even if a girl has to physically move, she remains connected to her counselor. As is often the case with teens, programming with girls will be more successful if they have meaningful ways to participate in their own planning process. As part of our ongoing effort to make sure all kids are treated in developmentally appropriate ways in the juvenile justice system, WCCF will be focusing more on girls in the upcoming month. As we find out more about what works with girls and what programs in Wisconsin are models of treatment for girls, we will be highlighting them in upcoming issues of our Youth Initiatives e-newsletter. ----------------------------------------------- (1) Snyder, Howard, and Sickmund, Melissa. 2006. Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report. (2) Detention Reform and Girls, Francine Sherman for Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2006. |
