County Innovation in Youth Justice: Probation

The County Innovation in Youth Justice Series

Counties can play a critical role in youth probation implementation — from shaping when and how youth probation occurs to managing day-to-day services, supervision and sanctions. This brief identifies promising county-level practices and spotlights real-world strategies from a case study from Wayne County, Michigan — home to Detroit. It is part of a series, produced by the National Association of Counties, that is devoted to strengthening communities and improving outcomes for young people involved in the juvenile justice system.

What Is Youth Probation?

Youth probation, also known as juvenile probation, is court-ordered supervision requiring young people to follow specific rules and conditions for a set period of time, which can range from months to years. While probation remains the most popular sanction in youth justice cases, its compliance-based structure can be improved.

Traditional youth probation can increase recidivism rates and push youth deeper into the justice system. Counties are recognizing the financial and societal costs of these outcomes and implementing innovative, evidence-based practices that can improve the lives of youth and communities.

Promising Practices in Youth Probation

Counties can enact key services and programs that support youth who cross paths with the juvenile justice system. Promising practices outlined in this brief include:

• shifting the culture of probation from compliance-based supervision to community-centered support to build networks and strengthen connections;
• creating cross-system partnerships and implementing data-sharing agreements between service providers to promote informed decision making;
• partnering with youth and families to determine the terms of supervision and actively solicit, collect and implement their feedback throughout service delivery;
• integrating mechanisms, such as assessments, to examine young people’s risks and needs;
• offering therapeutic interventions and reward systems that motivate youth and create pro-social opportunities;
• implementing and expanding deflection and diversion programs, which can help reduce costs, decrease re-offending and lower a young person’s chances of getting involved in the criminal legal system;
• continuously monitoring program outcomes and adapting the models in use;
• setting consistent demographic definitions and collection protocols across service systems;
• collaborating with communities to evaluate and revise solicitation processes for selecting providers;
• including communities in resource allocation decisions to broaden county partnerships with service providers; and
• establishing pathways for youth with probation experience to review resource allocation and service offerings.