Source: Image of Teenage Boy, Public Domain, http://mrg.bz/DQuwGI
Hi, I'm Julie Tietz, and welcome to Conflict Resolution-- Putting the Pieces Together. Today, we're going to talk about family group conferencing and how that fits in with the juvenile justice system.
Family group conferencing is a concept that was developed in New Zealand as a response to working with the juvenile justice system there, which is a legal system assigned to deal with criminal behaviors of minors. So they wanted to find a way in which they could respect the cultural values and traditions of the Maori people that are native to New Zealand. So family group conferencing arose out of that.
And it's an alternative approach in juvenile justice. And again, juvenile justice is that segment of the legal system that is assigned to deal with youth or minors' criminal behavior. And family group conferencing is a collaborative approach.
So we are utilizing a lot of different aspects and a lot of different people to come together to engage with the juvenile here to come up with a way in which we can address their criminal behavior. And so we're going to have their parents or family members-- and this can be a loose term-- so whoever the juvenile considers to be an appropriate adult for them. And we're going to involve community members, as well as members from social services.
And there are five stages that are involved with family group conferencing. So the first is we need a recommendation. So this could come through the juvenile justice system. So the case is moving through the court and they recommend it. Or it could be from the family of the juvenile itself.
So once we have that recommendation, we then can meet and identify the issues that are going on with the case and with the juvenile, and explain the process of the family group conferencing. After we do that, we then can set our objective.
So what do we want to gain from this process? What are we going to work towards order to help the juvenile in this situation?
And then after we identify the issues and set the objective, the family then develops the plan. So rather than having the court or social services come up with a plan for the juvenile, the family meets alone and separately with each other to really talk about and address the minor's behavior.
And after we come up with a plan, or the family comes up with a plan, it then is evaluated and reviewed for a consultation to make sure that it's suitable. And if it is deemed appropriate and suitable, then there is a formal recognition of the plan. And this could be by the court or other appropriate venues within the juvenile justice system or agency that is working with this particular individual.
Now I'm going to take you through these five stages with an example. So we have David here. And his case comes to court. He is charged with vandalism for throwing some eggs at one of the houses in his neighborhood.
And it comes along on Judge Honor's docket who is on the juvenile court system rotation. So that's the judge of the day. And Judge Honor reviews David's history and sees that he hasn't had any offenses in the past.
And she reviews his school history and sees that he's struggling a little bit. And so maybe he needs a little bit more attention and a different approach. So Judge Honor recommends family group conferencing.
And once we have that recommendation, we are going to work with David and his family to identify the issues and review the process. And so we identified David's issues as his academics. His academics are really struggling. And that's an issue for him.
And also in talking with David, he seems really bored. He doesn't have constructive activities to do. So these are the issues. So we've identified those and now we have something to work with.
And so then we set the objective. So one of the objectives is to really see David and have him accept responsibility for his actions. So that's one objective we're going to work towards.
And the other one is to help David succeed in school and to find his passion. So we're going to work towards those two things.
And so once we've set that, the family all meets together. And they come up with a plan. So the first objective was to take responsibility. And so they've decided that David is going to give the neighbor a formal apology.
And he's got also going to assist that homeowner in ways or activities or chores around the house so he can get to know the person. And the homeowner has agreed to allow David to do this.
And we're also going to get David some tutoring so he can succeed in school. And some activities that David wanted to do so he could have a more constructive atmosphere and really relieve some of that boredom he's having, so he wants to join the band. And he also loves animals. And so we're going to set David up with volunteering at an animal shelter. So here we have him accepting responsibility, and we're helping him with school, and finding him activities so he's not so bored.
And then finally, we're going to have a consultation. So we're going to ask the professionals if this is going to work. And they're going to determine the suitability.
So one, we've met the objective of accepting responsibility. And two, we've met the objective of working on David's school. And also finding him some constructive outlet so he doesn't feel that he's bored and goes back to doing things as such as he has in the past with egging the neighbor's house.
And if it's accepted, which they believe it's going to be a great plan for David, then it's formalized. And it is signed off by the appropriate professional, whether that's a judge or somebody else working with David on this case.
So why do we want to do family group conferencing? Well, it has been proven to have a reduction in recidivism. So the people who participate in family group conferencing are less likely to re-event. And the family is more overall satisfied with this approach rather than going through that traditional juvenile justice system.
So now let's go over our key points here of family group conferencing before we head out. Family group conferencing is an alternative to the traditional juvenile justice system. And it involves the family juvenile and professionals to collaborate and work together.
And all the decisions that are made in this process are made jointly. So through family, professionals, and even community members. And overall, people who are involved in this process have a higher satisfaction.
Here are your key terms before we go. Feel free to pause and look at them a little closer.
Thanks for taking the time out. And I can't wait to catch you again next time.