The transition of young people ages 24 and younger from juvenile and adult
correctional settings back into schools, families, communities, and society at large?a
process termed youth reentry?is one of the critical justice policy issues currently
confronting the United States, yet research addressing this topic is limited. We therefore
know little about the unique challenges, including the role of youth development,
involved in youth reentry or how best to effectively assist this population to become
contributing members of society. For this reason, the Urban Institute convened a
roundtable of researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and community leaders to
inform national discussions about youth reentry. In this introduction to the special issue,
we summarize the findings and issues raised at the meeting, presenting highlights from
the paper presentations and discussions. We then identify some of the promising
research and policy directions that emerged from the meeting. |