This report—the 15th installment in a series devoted to revolutionizing detention programs and practices in America—gives rural areas an expanded toolkit for overcoming the unique challenges associated with juvenile detention reform.
With the deck seemingly stacked against them, rural communities have a few key cards up their sleeves. They’re creative, agile, resourceful and—contrary to their static and sleepy stereotypes—they’re willing to change the status quo.
1. Collaborate and conquer. Counties should work together—and pool resources—to expand their funding capacity, facilities and staff expertise;
2. Seek state-level support. State governments can stimulate reform by offering leadership, flexible funding and financial incentives to promote innovation, efficiency and the use of detention alternatives;
3. Adopt a 3-step strategy. First, ensure that you can monitor and supervise youths as needed. Next, utilize existing programs and facilities for children. Third, invest in solutions that speed up juvenile case processing.
10 counties in Oregon committed to JDAI reform—and with resounding success. Some of their many innovative solutions include: 1. Creating a family resource model, which placed youth in pre-screened family homes when shelter options were scarce; 2. Launching a Girls Circle to offer specialized counseling aimed at reducing rates of probation violations among girls; 3. Utilizing videoconferencing technologies to facilitate psychiatric consultations for youth in far-flung areas.
Rural youths are more likely to be poor and have a limited education relative to their city-dwelling counterparts. They are also more likely to abuse alcohol and other drugs and be both unemployed and school dropouts. Yet, despite their remarkably different backdrops, rural and urban youths suffer the same emotional and behavioral problems—and they cross paths with the juvenile justice system at similar rates.
These challenges include: Smaller budgets, a shortage of subject matter experts, poor public transportation, overburdened staff, limited data capabilities and longer travel distances between point A and point B.
The really good news? These hurdles are no excuse for hesitation in undertaking juvenile detention reform. In fact, the Annie E. Casey Foundation discovered that when rural jurisdictions commit to change, meaningful progress isn’t just possible—it’s practically inevitable.
