Justice Served

Assessment:

It has been proven that many programs that serve and address family needs are ineffective in reducing recidivism. Many of the youth involved in the court system have very little support from family members because of cultural differences as to how families in poverty view the court system. They have very limited resources and most use public defenders who work for the interest of the defendant, but not able to offer resources for basic life skills.

Through active research, Justice Served has found that some youth participants have undiagnosed mental health issues and lack treatment. They have long exhibited behavioral problems and parents lack resources until the child commits a crime that places them in the court system. 

These children have learning disabilities that place them at risk for suspensions and expulsion that place them on the streets to learn street life. Many times these youth have other issues that need to be addressed, but without adequate knowledge of resources they fall victim to the system and end up in a repeated cycle of court involvement and recidivism. 

Program Description: 

Justice Served is a grassroots initiative of Project Ricochet, Inc of North Carolina developed as a youth empowerment program designed to assist re-entry youth between the ages of 14-24 transition back into society through a twelve-week program that highlights confidence building, court system education, career development, resource allocation and referral services. 

The program occurs four times a year (September, January, April, June). Participants are required to attend/participate 4hrs a week through phone, face-to-face and/or classroom interaction. Participants receive intervention on the following days: (Monday, Wednesday and Saturday). The goal of Justice Served is to eliminate or decrease the repeated cycle of court involvement and act as a liaison between the courts, home and community; providing a base of support and system of care for youth and families. 

Currently, Justice Served attends Wake County Court rooms twice a week to perform intake and do in-depth research of the court system. Our faith-based partner is Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, where we meet on Saturday to work with 10 youth per cycle. Our goal is to impact youth and the justice system alike by holding both entities accountable to the rising rates of incarceration experienced by minority youth. 

Program Objectives: 

Provide an assessment of needs and identify resources that are useful to youth. 

Guide youth as they perform a vigorous examination of how their actions affect their life, family and community; with the hope they will examine and internalize the seriousness of their court involved issues. 

Teach youth proper court etiquette and how to properly navigate the court process and system. 

Provide programming that teaches problem solving skills and involves the family. 

Teach youth proper court etiquette and how to properly navigate the court process and system. 

Provide programming that teaches problem solving skills and involves the family. 

Partner with similar programs in the community that teach life skills, provide employment training and employment opportunities. 
 
Identify Local Mental ealthHeHeHealth (LMH) entities to provide mental health counseling and community support and substance abuse treatment. 
 
Justice Served provides youth with Aggression Replacement Training (APT) through the National Center for Mental Health and Promotion of Youth Violence Preventions Initiative.