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Juvenile Justice (DJJ) without an adequate plan for connecting with schools and mental health services in the community.
This lack of planning (not resources) puts the young person at risk, puts our communities at risk, and squanders the taxpayers’ significant investment in the treatment of juveniles while in the DJJ.
A workable solution clearly presents itself: the DJJ needs to meet with the agencies already involved in assisting young peopleschools, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services-to devise regulations and procedures that usher these youths from the DJJ back into communities with support and a structured plan for success.
It is surprising, indeed heartening, to know that Virginia taxpayers invest approximately $78,000 per year in each young person in DJJ and that, of this, $15,000 goes toward their education!
Because of this, many of these young people have had their first sustained educational experience while in the DJJ, with some experiencing real academic success. A plan for re-entry is necessary to ensure that all this has not gone to waste and that incarcerated youth do not recidivate.
After the DJJ has identified the appropriate agencies, legislation will be necessary to distribute accountability among the DJJ and others participating in the different phases of the re-entry.
Douglas D. McCullough
Charlottesville
96.3%