On September 22nd, 2022, the National Governors Association hosted the virtual webinar on Programs Designed to Mitigate Gang Reengagement. This webinar convened subject matter experts, service providers, and individuals with lived experience to discuss government efforts to help justice-involved youth successfully transition into their communities. This webinar was particularly focused on reentry programs for gang-involved juveniles and emerging adults.
Key takeaways:
- Gang-involved youth often face significant challenges post-release, including a lack of community support and limited resources for rebuilding their lives.
- Government and private sector organizations can help justice-involved youth and young adults successfully transition back into their communities by providing access to educational programming, work readiness training, and peer mentorship programs.
- Reentry programs’ ability to foster a sense of community for youth is an unparalleled strength; connecting youth with mentors who have lived experience can restore those community bonds that are essential to reducing recidivism.
Presenters:
- Dr. David Pyrooz, Assistant Professor of Sociology at University of Colorado Boulder
- Eldra Jackson III, Co-Executive Director of Inside Circle
- Arjun “RJ” Binning, Restorative Response Baltimore.
- Moderator: Kenneth Hardy, Program Director, Public Safety & Legal Counsel Program, NGA
State of the State Summaries:
- Governors’ Top Priorities For Supporting Children And Families In 2022 State Of The State Addresses
- State Of The State: Criminal Justice And Public Safety Priorities
Related Resources:
- Age Boundaries In Juvenile Justice Systems
- COVID-19 Impacts On Justice-Involved Kids: Lessons Learned From States
For more information, please reach out to Kenneth Hardy (KHardy@nga.org) or Jordan Hynes (JHynes@nga.org).
