Kaitlyn Uesugi

Breaking the Cycle: A Comparative Review of Four Non-Retributive Juvenile Justice Models

Started June 15, 2023

Abstract or project description

In recent years, America has moved away from using traditional retributive justice models to prioritizing rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Rather than simply punish individuals, there is an emphasis on addressing the root factors contributing to criminal behavior and supporting these individuals to become productive members of society. However, current efforts have yet to resolve a variety of issues including racial disparities and the role of mental illness within the juvenile justice system. Thus, this paper aims to compare the effectiveness and limitations of the restorative justice, multisystemic therapy (MST), diversion programs, and wraparound services models to determine the most comprehensive approaches of addressing systemic factors and reducing recidivism.