Positive Alternatives to the Juvenile Justice System
The Windsor Locks Youth Services Bureau is proud to serve on the Windsor Locks Juvenile Review Board.
What is the Juvenile Review Board?
The Juvenile Review Board (JRB) is a community-based program whose objective is to divert youth from the Juvenile Justice System by providing restorative intervention services to prevent further court involvement.
The JRB acts as a preventative program by diverting first-time offenders from court to an accessible community resource for appropriate services. Diversions promote responsible behavior and help to solve problems that may be at the root of delinquent behavior. These diversions not only create opportunities for the juvenile offender but also alleviate overcrowding in the court system.
The JRB works hard to identify delinquency patterns and other risk factors to implement the most appropriate services for each individual case.
Why is the JRB important to Windsor Locks?
- Lowers the number of youth involved in the Juvenile Court System by providing an alternative intervention and appropriate restitution to avoid court involvement.
- Identifies and intervenes before youth can develop a pattern of delinquency.
- Serves as a resource for the Windsor Locks Police, the School System, and the community in dealing with minor acts of delinquency.
- Provide youth with positive restorative community service opportunities and experiences.
Who are the members, and what is their role?
The Windsor Locks Juvenile Review Board (W.L. JRB) includes representatives of agencies, organizations, and individuals who have direct responsibility, contact, or concern with youth and their families. Agencies include the Windsor Locks School System, the Windsor Locks Youth Services Bureau, Windsor Locks Social Services, the Windsor Locks Police Department, and many others. The agencies and individuals that make up the W.L. JRB contribute by providing a holistic approach to working with youth and their families. The ability to collaborate resources and share ideas makes this a successful intervention process.
The members of the W.L. JRB are responsible for conducting a comprehensive assessment of all referred cases, maintaining case records, making appropriate recommendations for restitution, and referrals to community resources to prevent recidivism.
How does the JRB process work?
A juvenile's referred to the JRB by the Police Department, School System, or parent or guardian to the Juvenile Review Board. After completion of background information is completed, the case is then presented in front of the Board. After discussion, the Board decides on a meaningful and appropriate alternative that will divert the case from the Criminal Justice System.
The Juvenile Review Board presents the diversion alternative to the offender and his/her family, who must be present at the meeting. If they agree with the diversion and complete the recommendations, they will not have to appear in court regarding the offense.
All cases that do not comply with the recommendations are referred back to the referral source.
What is a diversion alternative?
Diversion alternatives (recommendations) generally consist of a combination of elements from the following areas:
- Personal responsibility: restitution, apology, JRB supervision, probation, and community service.
- Education: drug and alcohol workshops, educational-supportive counseling, research projects.
- Prevention: individual and family counseling, drug and alcohol counseling/treatment, positive youth development activities.
The W.L. JRB makes its recommendations based on each case. The goal is to recommend the most appropriate diversion for the juvenile and the offense for which they are appearing. Recommendations may include one or several of the above-listed diversions.
W.L. JRB c/o WLPD, 4 Volunteer Drive, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. Phone (860) 627-1461
or contact the Youth Services Director (860) 627-1482.