Identifying Strengths as Fuel for Change: A Conceptual and Theoretical Framework for the Youth Competency Assessment
By Laura Burney Nissen, Juliette R. Mackin, Judy M. Weller, and Jerod M. Tarte

Abstract: Juvenile justice lacks an agreed-upon assessment tool blending strength-based approaches with rehabilitative and punitive measures. The recently-piloted Youth Competency Assessment (YCA) is presented as one way to offer a strength-based tool compatible with traditional risk- and problem-based approaches. YCA’s development and piloting processes are described, and the theoretical underpinnings supporting its three domains are summarized and analyzed.

A Prospective Longitudinal Study of Teen Court’s Impact on Offending Youths’ Behavior
By Andrew Rasmussen and Carol I. Diener

Abstract: Although teen court is the fastest growing alternative processing model in juvenile justice, there has been little systematic investigation of offenders’ impressions of the process and no attempt to measure changes in delinquent behavior. This study employed a prospective longitudinal design to measure several impressions of teen court using a questionnaire, and changes in self-reported delinquency using the YSR and CBCL. Impressions of teen court did not predict compliance with the teen court sentence or lower risk of recidivism once demographic and prior delinquency were taken into account, although delinquent behavior did decrease between intake and six months for boys, who reported more delinquent behavior at intake. Interpretation of these results involves teen court’s location at the soft end of juvenile justice. Implications for net-widening and changing not-so-delinquent youths’ behavior are central to this discussion.

The Role of the Juvenile Court Judge Revisited
By Judge Leonard P. Edwards

Editor’s Note: On November 18, 2004, the National Center for State Courts awarded its prestigious William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence to Judge Leonard P. Edwards—the first time in the award’s history that this honor has gone to a juvenile court judge. The award was presented by Justice Anthony Kennedy in the Great Hall of the United States Supreme Court. Following you will find not only Judge Edwards’ moving acceptance speech, but also a republication of his 1992 article, “The Role of the Juvenile Court Judge.” This article was included as Chapter IV of Judge Edwards’ seminal work on “The Juvenile Court and the Role of the Juvenile Court Judge,” published in the Juvenile and Family Court Journal (Vol. 43, No. 2). We are pleased to include both pieces in this issue of the Journal with Judge Edwards’ following words of introduction.

Behind the Walls and Beyond: Restorative Justice,
Instrumental Communities, and Effective Residential Treatment
By Gordon Bazemore, Jay G. Zaslaw, and Danielle Riester

Abstract: Although restorative justice principles and practice have been applied extensively in community-based juvenile justice settings, implementation in residential treatment facilities has been far less common. We describe recent experimentation and possibilities for broader application to disciplinary infractions, the response to harm and crime, promoting community and citizen input, “community building” for conflict resolution skill development and changing the culture of facilities, and reentry. We conceptualize three “communities” as most relevant to addressing needs of incarcerated youths, their victims, and support groups, and then discuss theoretical frameworks and empirical research supportive of restorative practice in this context. Challenges to implementation of restorative practice, compatibility with other treatment and disciplinary agendas, and concerns about preserving the integrity of the model are also considered.