From The Modesto Bee. By Julietta Bisharyan.

Since the California Department of Juvenile Justice’s closure last year, Stanislaus County has had to rethink its approach to juvenile justice, focusing more on rehabilitation, education, and community-based alternatives. Before DJJ’s closure, youth convicted of serious crimes, such as murder and sex offenses, were sent to state-run facilities. Now, these offenders are held in their local counties, where they can be housed until they reach 25.

“Naturally, this means we’re dealing with an older, more sophisticated population with complex needs,” said Stanislaus County Chief Probation Officer Mark Ferriera.

One significant change has been the development of so-called less restrictive programs (LRPs), which allow certain youth to finish their sentences in alternative settings, such as halfway houses or community residential programs. The county has created a network of support services to facilitate the transition of eligible youth into LRPs through collaboration with community organizations like the Center for Human Services and Leaders in Community Alternatives. The county has also partnered with Pine Grove Fire Camp, where youth can work alongside Cal Fire to help fight fires across the state.

Though the number of youth transitioning to LRPs is still small, with just a few having been placed in the programs as of August, Ferriera expects this number to grow over the next year.

Too Early to Measure Recidivism
Though Ferriera said it’s too soon to gauge the full impact of these changes on recidivism rates, early indicators show promise. Stanislaus County’s average daily population in juvenile institutions has fallen significantly, from 145.5 in 2007 to just 63 in 2024.

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“With these continued local investments, we are confident that we will see similar successes with reducing our number of incarcerated youth,” Ferriera said.

A New Approach to Rehabilitation in Stanislaus County
The county’s juvenile justice system always has included educational and rehabilitative programming, but its scope has since expanded. Stanislaus County now offers more advanced options, including college-level courses through Modesto Junior College, vocational training programs like culinary arts and truck driving through the Stanislaus County Office of Education, and technical programs such as manufacturing and construction training through the Volt Institute and Northern California Construction Training.

In addition to education and vocational skills, the county has invested in treatment programs tailored to the needs of older youth. These include substance use disorder treatment, Aggression Replacement Training, parenting courses, and employment-based services.

“We are quite literally trying to cover every area of what someone might need so they are successful when they are released and do not re-victimize our community. Our ultimate goal is to prevent recidivism and create pathways for youth to live a successful, law-abiding life,” Ferriera said.

Age Range Among Incarcerated Poses Challenges
Housing older, more serious offenders in the same facility as younger juveniles has created challenges for the county. The wide range of maturity levels and criminal backgrounds among the population requires careful management, Ferriera said.

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This challenge extends to staffing. Finding qualified individuals capable of working with such a high-needs group has proved difficult, according to Ferriera. The county maintains high hiring standards, seeking individuals who not only are able to handle the demands of the job but have the skills to guide the youth through rehabilitation.

The Probation Department has ramped up its recruitment efforts through social media outreach and a dedicated recruiting website, joinstanpro.com, to educate potential applicants about the department. Additionally, the department is engaging with college campuses and local high schools, attending job fairs, and giving presentations to encourage students to consider a career in probation.

“Thankfully, all of our staff go above and beyond, are dedicated to the well-being of youth and our communities, and can do those tasks. But we simply need more. It is a challenging job, but immeasurably rewarding,” he said.

Funding and Future Investments
For the 2024-25 fiscal year, Stanislaus County is set to receive just over $3 million through the state’s Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant. The block grant supports a wide range of initiatives, including contracts with community-based organizations that provide vital services, such as financial literacy courses, cognitive behavioral therapy, and restorative justice programs.

The county’s agreement with MJC covers the cost of books and materials for youth enrolled in college courses, and the college’s staff assists with registration and educational planning. The support doesn’t end upon release, as MJC provides 90 days of follow-up, which includes connecting youth to on-campus counselors and programs like the Rising Scholars initiative — a program designed to help formerly incarcerated students succeed in secondary education.

The county also has invested in new technology and equipment to enhance vocational training. A recent purchase includes a Skill Boss tabletop device that allows youth to gain hands-on experience in manufacturing. Plans are also underway to acquire a truck-driving simulator, giving young people an opportunity to develop practical skills that could lead to stable employment after their release.

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