The Promise of Community-Based, Less Restrictive Programs: Commentary on a Policy Innovation

Carceral settings are particularly harmful for youth development and substantially impede their ability to pursue postsecondary education, a key determinant of health and protective factor against future legal system involvement. This article provides a review of innovative legislation that eliminated California's state-level Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and incentivizes county-based, less restrictive programs (LRPs). In addition to discussing the national and state context for the policy changes, our community-research partnership identifies strengths and opportunities for the LRP model to support community reintegration and a pathway to success with postsecondary education for incarcerated youth.