The Missouri Model

Reinventing the Practice of Rehabilitating Youthful Offenders

By the Annie E. Casey Foundation

January 1, 2010

Summary

Kid “jails” are routinely found to be unsafe, unhealthy and unconstitutional. Not in Missouri. Its award-winning, unconventional approach for dealing with the most hardened juvenile offenders is producing incredible results with less money.  It has been widely cited and often praised—but seldom replicated. This nuts and bolts report is here to change that.

In addition to the full report, a 16-page summary also is available.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaway

25% to 30% of kids in the program had some form of family ther­apy before leaving custody.

In 2001, the American Youth Policy Center identified Missouri as a “guiding light” for reform in juvenile justice. 85% of kids in the program were productively engaged in education or employment at the time of their release. 25% to 30% of kids in the program had some form of family ther­apy before leaving custody.

Findings & Stats

Statements & Quotations