Although the primary goal of gang violence reduction is to prevent a youth involvement in gang activity and the justice system overall, the reality is that there are youth engaged in gang-related delinquent activity, who are currently placed in custodial facilities or out-of-home placements. Gang involvement is a complex issue, the negative impacts of which can be exacerbated by system involvement.
It is critical that current practitioners involved with the juvenile justice system understand the nature of gang involvement; promising strategies for gang reduction to better support the young people currently in the system; mitigate potential harms; and ensure that these young people have the network, tools, and opportunities needed to thrive as they transition back into the community.
Recognizing the need for guidance on this topic, the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators (CJJA), with technical guidance and expertise from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, created the CJJA Toolkit: Gang Reduction Strategies for Juvenile Justice Facilities.
This toolkit provides information, research, and resources on the nature of gang reduction and its implications on the work of juvenile justice agencies and practitioners. In this webinar representatives from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and CJJA will highlight key considerations from their toolkit; and describe how it can reaffirm or refine the work of juvenile justice practitioners, and improve opportunities for young people involved in gang violence.
As a result of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Evaluate the need for changes in custodial settings to better address the challenges associated with gang involvement.
- Access research and resources on effective strategies and promising practices to support youth involved with gangs in juvenile justice settings.
- Summarize practical considerations for improving gang reduction efforts in the juvenile justice system.