Chapter 12 Youth Detention Facilities and Restorative Justice: Lesson for Public Education

Abstract

This chapter begins by focusing on the challenges educational leaders in short-term juvenile detention facilities face when determining the best way to transition students from public school into the institution and then back into public schools. It examines how these leaders adjust to meet the needs of children labeled as offenders and explore the following patterns: predictable surges in referrals at specific times of year, rates of recidivism and percentages of students who qualify for special education or who have IEP's at the time of referral, difficulties in acquiring the resources necessary for meeting the educational needs of students, and obstacles that prevent students from re-enrolling in public school once they have become eligible to leave the detention facilities. Special attention is given to the use of restorative justice within these institutions. The scope of these topics will span the political, social, educational, and personal spectrum as defined by detention facility leaders. The chapter concludes by discussing ethical and empirical considerations for implementing restorative justice practices in schools.

Citation

Mackey, H.J. (2011), "Chapter 12 Youth Detention Facilities and Restorative Justice: Lesson for Public Education", Normore, A.H. and Fitch, B.D. (Ed.) Leadership in Education, Corrections and Law Enforcement: A Commitment to Ethics, Equity and Excellence (Advances in Educational Administration, Vol. 12), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 229-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3660(2011)0000012015