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Community
Programs |
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In
addition to secure jail-type institutions, the Juvenile
Justice Commission operates less restrictive facilities
for juveniles who do not require a secure setting. Twenty-two
community programs are located throughout the state
and accept juveniles from anywhere in the State of New
Jersey. |
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The
Commission operates two types of staff secure community
programs which provide non-institutional settings for
appropriate juveniles: |
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Residential
Community Homes and
Day Programs |
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Juveniles
are placed in community programs in one of two ways.
A judge may make placement to a community program a
condition of a juvenile's probation, or the Juvenile
Justice Commission's classification committee may determine
that a community program is the most appropriate setting
for a juvenile sentenced to its custody. |
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View
a map detailing the locations of the Commission's community
programs. |
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Residential Community Homes
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The
Juvenile Justice Commission operates 14 Residential
Community Homes (RCH) and contracts with private providers
to operate two additional homes. The number of juveniles
residing at each facility varies. Three facilities,
Manor Woods RCH, Albert Elias RCH and Essex RCH are
designed specifically for younger male offenders between
the ages of 13 and 15. The Commission has also designated
certain facilities for specific categories of juvenile
offenders including those who have serious substance
abuse problems, sex offenders, and those juveniles who
have been found delinquent, but also have serious emotional
disorders. |
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RCH's
are an important part of the Commission's continuum
of care. These facilities offer a less restrictive environment,
but maintain security through the use of trained staff.
These types of facilities are meant to accommodate juveniles
who have committed less serious offenses or are nearing
the end of their sentence and preparing to return home.
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Counselors
work with each resident to create an individual program
plan with goals and objectives for successful completion.
Each program provides a full education curriculum aimed
at the pursuit of a high school diploma or GED. It is
common for juveniles to progress several grade levels
while in the custody of the Commission. Each program
offers various vocational opportunities with the goal
of developing marketable skills and realistic goals
that will help these young people become productive
citizens upon their release. |
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The
Commission has recently introduced enhanced treatment
programs at several RCH's including one curriculum that
instruct juveniles on how to control anger. Juveniles
also receive instruction in life skills, personal hygiene,
health and nutrition. Residents participate in various
recreational activities and have access to 24-hour medical
care. Opportunities to attend various religious services
and faith related workshops are also available. |
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All
juveniles participate in various community service projects
through the Commission's Restorative Justice Program.
Work crews throughout the state perform approximately
6,000 hours of service each month. Projects range from
cleaning parks, cemeteries, and roadways to restoring
historical buildings and assisting a not-for-profit
wildlife refuge. The Commission believes that juveniles
who have committed a crime should take responsibility
for their actions and give back to the communities that
they have harmed. |
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Before
releasing a juvenile, the Commission develops an aftercare
plan. The aftercare component includes individual case
planning, intensive supervision and the enforcement
of parole regulations. |
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Find
a list of the Commission's Residential Community Homes
here. |
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Day Programs |
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At
these programs, juveniles report for education, counseling,
and community service projects during the day and return
to their homes in the evening. |
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Day
Programs serve juveniles who are placed on probation
by the courts. They are a useful sentencing option for
judges who determine that a juvenile needs structure
and supervision, but does not need to be removed from
his or her home. |
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Monday
through Friday juveniles report to one of the Juvenile
Justice Commission's six day reporting sites, where
they receive education programming, vocational training,
counseling and perform community service projects. Juveniles
are returned to their homes in the evening. |
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The
Commission also uses day programs as a tool to help
juveniles released from JJC Residential Community Homes
(RCH) adjust to life back in their communities. By allowing
juveniles who have successfully completed a residential
program to continue to have contact with the JJC, the
Commission can continue to help them finding a job,
return to school and make sure that they are conforming
to the guidelines of their individual parole plan. |
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Find
a list of the Commission's Day Programs here.
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