Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Practice Guides

Home > Publications / Multimedia > Publications Series > Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Practice Guides

Email Print

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative Practice Guides

A Practice Guide to Juvenile Detention Reform: Juvenile Detention Risk Assessment

Detention risk screening is a fundamental strategy used to evaluate youth and determine the need for secure, locked confinement. The risk instruments developed at Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative sites have been effective in curbing subjective or inappropriate decisions as well as controlling the total admissions to secure detention. This is a practical guide for juvenile justice decision-makers and includes specific recommendations on how to design, test, and implement detention risk-screening instruments. more >>

View PDF

Detention Facility Self-Assessment: A Practice Guide to Juvenile Detention Reform

Because reducing overcrowding in detention can immediately improve conditions, Casey's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative sites establish “self-inspection” teams of local volunteers to monitor conditions of confinement. These self-inspection teams are trained in a rigorous methodology that carefully examines all aspects of facility policies, practices and programs. This practice guide provides instructions on conducting a secure detention facility self-inspection as well as comprehensive detention standards and an assessment instrument. more >>

View PDF

State-Level Detention Reform: A Practice Guide for State Advisory Groups

This is a “how-to” leadership guide designed for a highly-specialized and specific audience: State juvenile justice advisory group members (or “SAG” members) who advise and guide the implementation of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) in the states, territories and District of Columbia. This guide highlights examples of leadership and the work of SAG members in key states that have been front-runners in advancing the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) via SAG leadership. more >>

View PDF

Using Media Advocacy to Promote Detention Reform

The fourth in a series of practice guides offers juvenile justice reformers the tools to effectively communicate with the media and the public to promote detention reform. The new media guide provides the tools for developing a well-timed and proactive media strategy, including tips and techniques for building relationships and pitching stories to reporters; strategies for developing compelling messages; instruction on how to approach an interview for radio, television, and print; and, how to respond to the media in the context of a crisis. more >>

View PDF