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Girls' Group
| Goal: To enhance girls’ abilities to so
they are able to take full advantage of their talents, academic interests,
career pursuits and potential for healthy relationships.
Girls’ Group began in response to a growing number of female offenders and re-offenders coming through the Blue Earth County Community Corrections system. The Girls’ Group program incorporates restorative justice philosophies into gender specific programming. In large and small group settings girls ages 13 to 18 discuss and work through topics such as relationships, dating violence, sexuality, goals, drug use, and stress management through discussion and creative activities. The small groups called Girls’ Circle and Young Miss-Chat (YM-Chat), consisting of five to eight girls each, were a recommendation from girls who participated in the large group setting. They suggested smaller circles would be a more comfortable setting for sharing their stories. In addition to the regular circle groups, girls also have the opportunity to participate in prosocial activities in the community. The restorative justice girls’ groups and related community activities support the cognitive, social, moral and competency development of participants so they are able to successfully complete their probation and reduce the risk for re-offending. Feedback from the participating girls has been positive. The girls feel their circles are a safe environment to express thoughts and ideas without judgment. They also feel better informed about relationships, gender issues, and the value of self-respect. |
| Curriculums Girls’ Circle (PDF) Voices (PDF) |
| Girls Programming and why we need it An analysis conducted in April 2004 by the Blue Earth County Community Corrections department showed the characteristics of juvenile offenders currently being supervised by the department. The study showed a drastic increase of the number of juvenile female offenders on probation. While the national average ranges between 20-25% of the total offender population as female, numbers reached between 30-47% in Blue Earth County. The majority of offenses charged to juvenile female offenders were assaults, disorderly conduct, and truancy. Not only did the probation department see an increase in charged offenses, but the number of violations of probation increased as well. In 2005, the number of juvenile female offenders dropped between 30-35%. Although the drop in numbers is hopeful, the County is still above the national average. A 2001 report entitled “Justice by Gender” indicated girls account for one in four arrests nationwide. Using that information as a comparison, Blue Earth County is significantly above the average and is experiencing a disproportionate number of juvenile female offenders remaining on probation for longer periods of time. The additional court appearances, staff supervision and related interventions have not ultimately resulted in better outcomes for our juvenile female offender population as evidenced by the recidivism rates. |
| Blue Earth County Corrections Responds to a growing need In the past, most juvenile females came to the attention of Blue Earth County Corrections as a result of truancy petitions from schools. Blue Earth County is now also following the national trends of an increasing number of assault offenses being committed by juvenile females. Because the female offender population has increased, along with the seriousness of their offenses, Blue Earth County Community Corrections recognizes the need to adjust our practices, programs and services to be more responsive to meet the needs of the changing population under community supervision According to the research, girls have different pathways into delinquency and therefore need prevention, intervention and treatment alternatives that address the root causes of girls’ delinquent behavior. In response to the increase in numbers and unique needs juvenile female offenders represent, Blue Earth County Community Corrections developed a gender specific caseload. The caseload is considered an enhanced caseload in which there are a smaller number of offenders supervised. This allows for more intensive and wraparound services to the girl and her family. Girls’ Group operates similar to that of a Restorative Justice Circle format:
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| Female Interdisciplinary Team The Female Interdisciplinary Team was formed to develop and implement a best practices plan for female offenders at the county level. Everyone involved on the team have many years of working with juvenile female offenders in some capacity, mostly on a community basis. The team represents a wraparound approach and targets many of the areas of which have posed serious risk and indicators of need of our juvenile female offenders.
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