Effective components of interventions in juvenile justice facilities: How to take care of delinquent youths?

Therapeutic interventions support change in delinquent youths rather than rely on surveillance and deterrence. This article describes successful and concrete components for therapeutic interventions in juvenile justice facilities. The effectiveness of remedial measures to best address the sources of youths' delinquent behaviors and the performance of juvenile justice system are discussed first, and then two theoretical frameworks of rehabilitative models are described that are commonly used with delinquent youths. Finally, specific recommendations for enhancing treatment in juvenile justice facilities with regard to the content of interventions, social climate, and youth motivation to engage in treatment are described and explained in a way intended to help caregivers and practitioners, supervisors of juvenile justice facilities, and policy makers improve the daily life of youths placed in this kind of environment.