AFTERCARE

Definition of Aftercare

The term 'aftercare' refers to the programme and services organized for the rehabilitation of
inmates released from correctional institutions. It presupposes a period of stay and treatment in
an institution which may be reformatory, certified school, Borstal or a prison. The concept of
aftercare has got widened with the passage of time and now measures taken to rehabilitate
persons suffering from physical or social disabilities also fall within its ambit. Aftercare may be
defined as any programme or services organized for the rehabilitation of (a) inmates released
from institutions or (b) persons suffering from physical or social handicaps on account of
circumstances beyond their control.1 (More information can be accessed in this link
http://14.139.60.114:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/16150/1/013_Aftercase%20Organisation
%20%28517-546%29.pdf )

Aftercare among Juveniles

Aftercare is the name given to programs, services, and strategies intended to assure a juvenile’s
successful transition from residential placement to life in the community. The term may include
parole-style supervision, monitoring and testing as well as counseling and treatment services,
training and mentoring, and other forms of post-institutional help. 2 (More information can be
access here https://www.njjn.org/uploads/digital-library/resource_175.pdf )

Aftercare is the probationary period following a youth's release from a juvenile facility. During
this time the youth's behavior will be followed by the juvenile court, and he or she may be
required to meet specific probationary obligations.3
(More information can be found in this link
http://www.modelsforchange.net/publications/225/Educational_Aftercare__Reintegration_Toolk
it_for_Juvenile_Justice_Professionals_2nd_ed.pdf )

1
R. Deb, 'Aftercare Organization', Journal of the Indian Law Institute, Volume 13:4, page-517-518.
2
Patrick Griffin, 'Juvenile Aftercare Services', National Center for Juvenile Justice, page-1.
3
USLEGAL, Aftercare (Juvenile) Law and Legal Definition, available at https://definitions.uslegal.com/a/aftercare-
juvenile/
Aftercare Services

For juvenile offenders who have been in residential placement, the aftercare period—the six
months or so right after return to the community—is a critical time. While in placement, many
adolescents receive services that address problematic issues and promote skills. But for these
services to be effective, they must be linked to services in the community that build on them to
promote positive development and successful re-entry. These lessons have emerged from recent
studies:

• Institutional placement is a repeated and disruptive event for serious adolescent offenders.

• Aftercare supervision and services are key to promoting positive community adjustment.

• Major factors in a successful transition are school, work, and community-based mental health
and substance use services, along with court supervision of sufficient intensity and duration.4

Youths and Correctional Facilities

What do juveniles do after being released from a correctional facility? How many return to their
homes and schools? How many reoffend and end up incarcerated again? It's estimated that only
about a third of juveniles return to school after their release and three quarters are arrested again
within their first three years out of prison.

The goal of the juvenile justice system is to focus on rehabilitation, which means helping the
juvenile return to normal life through treatment. Like with any goal, there are unfortunately times
when the system does not succeed. Barriers, such as lack of funding, overcrowding in facilities,
and large caseloads, can prohibit the system from providing adequate support and guaranteed
services.

And even if correctional facilities provide the best treatment and make significant progress with
regards to rehabilitating the juvenile, those who get released to their old environment are
exposed to many of the challenges that resulted in their offending in the first place. This explains
why juveniles are likely to reoffend shortly after release; however, with the use of ongoing

4
This article is available at https://dev.juvjustice.org/sites/default/files/resource-files/RPD%20Aftercare
%20Services%20Issue%20Brief.pdf
support in the form of aftercare and reentry programs, juveniles are less likely to return to their
old ways.

Aftercare

Aftercare can be explained as post-release services and supervision that provide ongoing

support to the recently released juvenile. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of recidivism (or
reoffending). These services are intended for juveniles who were placed into confinement,
including correctional facilities, residential treatment programs, camps, detention centers, and
group homes. The services usually begin while the juvenile is still incarcerated so there is no
lapse in support. Some programs even invite family members and professionals from outside
sources into the facility to meet as a group. This ensures that everyone is familiar with and
understands the juvenile's aftercare plan

Reentry

Reentry is defined as entering back into the community after being confined. When juveniles re-
enter their community, they're faced with a host of barriers, including difficulty finding
employment, lapses in education, lack of family support, negative peers, struggles with mental
health, and substance abuse. The juvenile justice system and related agencies play a huge role in
supporting the released juvenile to increase the chance of success. Some institutions and
programs have adopted a 'think exit at entry' mindset, meaning the juvenile works with a
professional regarding his aftercare plan, beginning when he enters the institution's door.

Approaches to Support

Surveillance programs, such as parole, are designed to keep an eye on the released juvenile and
to set limits and conditions. The amount of time a juvenile remains on parole is decided by the
court, and not all juveniles will be placed on parole after being released. A number of factors
contribute to being placed on parole, including the results of their disposition (sentence), type of
offense, whether or not they are a repeat offender, and an early release.5

5
This information is available at https://study.com/academy/lesson/youth-aftercare-reentry-definition-programs-
supervision.html
Approaches to Aftercare and Reentry

Reentry and Aftercare programs typically combine two different approaches:

- surveillance and
- interventions/services

Surveillance, or community restraint, practices include contact with parole correctional

personnel, urine testing, electronic monitoring, employment verification, intensive supervision,
house arrest and residence in halfway houses. Surveillance methods work to reduce capacity and
opportunity to commit future crimes.

Interventions/Services include counseling, behavioral programs, restitution, probation, and

vocational and educational programs; these programs work with individual behavior to prevent
future delinquency. Surveillance is more effective when coupled with treatment/services.

There are seven domains where juvenile reentering society faces challenges and opportunities.
These domains include: family and living arrangements; peer groups and friends; mental,
behavioral and physical health; substance abuse; education and schooling; vocational training
and employment; and leisure, recreation and vocational interests. (information available at
https://www.ncsl.org/documents/cj/jjguidebook-reentry.pdf )