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The Red Hook Community Justice Center, established in 2000, serves about 200,000 residents, fostering community-oriented solutions to crime and juvenile delinquency. Central to its mission is the engagement of youth in the justice process through innovative programs like the Youth Justice Board, Youth Court, and Family Court. These initiatives empower young people to address public safety challenges, propose solutions, and participate in alternatives to incarceration. By promoting positive peer pressure and providing community services, Red Hook aims to restore harm and enhance public confidence in justice.
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The Red Hook Model:Involving Youth in Prevention,Reducing IncarcerationJulius Lang Center for Court Innovation
aid victims • reduce crime • promote public confidence • in justice Mission
The Red Hook Community Justice Center • Opened in 2000 • Serves population of 200,000 • 3 police precincts • Prevention/development programs • Multi-jurisdictional court: • juvenile delinquency • adult criminal • housing • An agent for social change?
Today’s focus: 3 Youth Programs • Youth Justice Board • Youth Court • Family Court
1. Youth Justice Board • … A credible voice for youth in the public debate about juvenile justice policy • After-school program • Youth study public safety challenges • Propose solutions (Year 1) • Play role in implementation • (Year 2)
1. Youth Justice Board • Examples of issues studied: • Improving police-teen relations • Reducing juvenile incarceration • Improving permanency planning after foster care
1. Youth Justice Board • Examples of recommendations implemented: • Created video to spark police-teen dialogue • Worked with CUP to create informational comic book • Created information kit to encourage court participation • YJB alumnus on government commission that allocates funding
2. Youth Court • … Using positive peer pressure to enforce community norms • Teens trained as jurors, judges and attorneys • Handle low-level cases (ex: vandalism, truancy, assault) • Cases from police, prosecutors, probation, courts
2. Youth Court Goals: Alternative response to offending Develop youth leaders Restore harm caused Link teens to services Use positive peer pressure Educate youth about justice system
2. Youth Court • Possible sanctions include: • Community service • Oral/written apologies • Essays • Jury duty • Educational workshops • (conflict resolution, goal setting, • drug/alcohol abuse prevention, • life mapping) • Compliance rate: 90%
3. Family Court • Single New York sbtatejudge hears juvenile delinquency cases from neighborhood (as well as adult criminal and housing disputes) • Assessment before court hearing • Court response to address needs and provide accountability
3. Family Court • Possibilities include community service projects and social services • Ongoing judicial monitoring • Pilot program: 16-17 year olds • Special judicial training • Social services and community service • Avoid criminal record if possible • Serving all of Brooklyn • Mural project
3. Family Court • Independent evaluation of Red Hook Community Justice Center, 2012: • Red Hook family court defendants 20% less likely to be rearrested within 2 years than comparison group • Job fair for youth
Further Information www.courtinnovation.org langj@courtinnovation.org
