Chapter 12 Youth Detention Facilities and Restorative Justice: Lesson for Public Education

• Published date: 25 July 2011
• Pages: 229-243
• Date: 25 July 2011
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3660(2011)0000012015
• Author: Hollie J. Mackey

CHAPTER 12

YOUTH DETENTION FACILITIES

AND RESTORATIVE JUSTICE:

LESSON FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

Hollie J. Mackey

ABSTRACT

This chapter begins by focusing on the challenges educational leaders in

short-term juvenile detention facilities face when determining the best way

to transition students from public school into the institution and then back

into public schools. It examines how these leaders adjust to meet the needs

of children labeled as offenders and explore the following patterns:

predictable surges in referrals at specific times of year, rates of recidivism

and percentages of students who qualify for special education or who have

IEP’s at the time of referral, difficulties in acquiring the resources

necessary for meeting the educational needs of students, and obstacles

that prevent students from re-enrolling in public school once they have

become eligible to leave the detention facilities. Special attention is given

to the use of restorative justice within these institutions. The scope of

these topics will span the political, social, educational, and personal

spectrum as defined by detention facility leaders. The chapter concludes

by discussing ethical and empirical considerations for implementing

restorative justice practices in schools.

Leadership in Education, Corrections and Law Enforcement: A Commitment to Ethics,

Equity and Excellence

Advances in Educational Administration, Volume 12, 229–243

Copyright r2011 by Emerald Group Publishing Limited

All rights of reproduction in any form reserved

ISSN: 1479-3660/doi:10.1108/S1479-3660(2011)0000012015

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