Engaging Youth in Youth Justice Interventions: Well-being and Accountability

Abstract

This article argues that youth justice interventions which combine both accountability and well-being components (comprehensive) are most likely to be effective in terms of improving quality of life of youth and reducing the likelihood of reoffending. It also argues that effective interventions are those that actively engage youth and their families in the development of plans and in intervention processes (engagement). It draws on two case studies from a large national mixed-methods study: The Pathways to Resilience research programme.

Participatie van minderjarigen in de jeugdrechtbank: getuigenissen over de Vlaamse praktijk

“…Petintseva en Roose (2020) spreken in dat verband ook van een selectieve framing van wat participatie zou kunnen zijn, net omwille van de disciplinerende doelstellingen van de jeugddelinquentiecontext. In de vormgeving van participatie in een jeugddelinquentiecontext, worden zowel welzijns-als participatieaspecten samengebracht (Henry et al, 2014), al lijkt in de praktijk toch vooral het instrumentele naar voren te komen.…”

Adolescents’ Quality of Life and Mental Health Needs during the Initial Phase in a Closed Institution

“…When postulating treatment aims, focusing on adolescents' QoL in order to capture their needs and to provide them with positive prospects should be valued. Hence, a combined focus on risk reduction and enhancement of QoL might in the long run be effective both in guiding adolescents away from a deviant pathway, but also in guiding them toward a meaningful and more fulfilling life (Henry et al, 2015). Knowing which determinants affect adolescents' QoL (both in a positive or negative way) may help to define and prioritize treatment aims.…”