Corrections_Today_September_October_2020_Vol.82_No.5

nEWS & vIEWS

Juvenile Justice News

CJJA to develop national standards for physical intervention training and standards for juvenile justice facilities By Michael Dempsey

J

uvenile justice systems throughout the United States have long struggled with find- ing a balance between the use

of force (i.e. physical, mechanical, and chemical restraints) and using al- ternative methods to effectively work with volatile youth. To complicate this issue, the juvenile justice field does not have uniform standards on code of practice that could guide staff and prevent harm and violence within facilities. Earlier this year, the Council of Juvenile Justice Admin- istrators (CJJA) released a position paper in an effort to provide some structured expectations related to the use of force and staff conduct. This position paper serves as a first step to address system-wide deficiencies in this area and, ultimately, aims to create safer facility environments. A link to this resource is provided here for reference. Over the past decade, juvenile justice systems have made great progress in addressing the ever- changing youth population. Systems have made significant changes to accommodate and successfully treat youth with higher needs and

istock/stanciuc

who are at higher risk for self-harm and recidivism. However, as more juveniles are diverted from secure treatment facilities to community- based education and non-secure

community-based programs, we continue to see and hear examples of negative outcomes that result from inappropriate or “excessive force.” These outcomes involve

14 — September/October 2020 Corrections Today