Interventions and Services Offered to Former Juvenile Offenders Reentering Their Communities: An Analysis of Program Effectiveness

The authors review youth reentry and reintegration programming services findings and describe what works and what does not. Then, as an explanatory strategy for interpreting the findings, they introduce overlooked issues concerning identity formation and the influences of race/ethnicity and class. They consider (a) a systems theoretical stance that acknowledges youths’ perspectives, (b) human development themes that do not emphasize psychopathology, and (c) the settings where reentry and reintegration programming occur. The authors conclude by recommending strategies for improving assessments of programming and services.