Coming back home: The reintegration of formerly incarcerated youth with service implications

More than 100,000 youth return each year from some form of detention in a juvenile justice facility to families and communities with needs of their own. Despite information about the offense types and general demographic characteristics of detained youth, less is known about the needs and experiences of youth as they prepare to re-enter the community after a period of detention or how they fare post-release. A heightened awareness of the complex array of needs and the match between these needs and the social and educational service sector has the potential to streamline the reintegration process, with advantages for public safety, reduced recidivism, and promotion of positive youth development. This paper analyzes the needs of formerly incarcerated youth with a focus on the implications for social and educational service systems. Results suggest that intervening with youth involved in the juvenile justice system requires a coordinated, holistic approach.