One of the 12 “Grand Challenges for Social Work” is promoting smart decarceration. This presentation discusses how we could better prepare juveniles for life in the community so that they don't recidivate or graduate to the adult system. It also speaks to the First Step Act for criminal justice reform and changes happening in the adult system to undo some of the laws that created mass incarceration.

Learning Objectives 

• Describe the juvenile justice system as it is run in the District of Columbia
• Discuss the Grand Challenges for Social Work with focus on smart decarceration
• Explore what changes we can make on the juvenile level as part of criminal justice reform

Level 

Basic