With the goal of improving the lives of children and their families, Juvenile Probation employees serve multiple functions within the juvenile justice system. As a division of the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation, JP employees seek to enhance public safety by reducing the risk that adolescent offenders will commit new crimes. Interventions begin almost immediately after a youth is arrested. JP employees:

  • Screen cases for the arraignment, petty offender, and detention courts;
  • Prepare reports for the court based on pre-plea, pre-disposition, Extended Jurisdiction Juvenile, and Adult Certification investigations;
  • Supervise clients in neighborhoods, fairly and firmly enforcing conditions of probation; and
  • Collaborate with community organizations to administer preventative programs and rehabilitative services.

Juveniles under supervision in 2010

Juvenile Probation employees supervised an average of 2,160 youth per month in 2010. The number of adolescents supervised decreased during the latter half of the year. The decrease was largely due to the department's commitment to evidence-based practices, which targets correctional resources on high-risk offenders. Low-risk offenders and petty misdemeanants (smokers, and curfew violators, for example) are referred to community-based alternatives.

Most youth on probation received services, including traditional and neighborhood supervision, restitution, and the Gun Offender Program. An average of 700 adolescents per month did not receive probation services in 2010. Their sole sanction issued by the court was to complete community service on the Sentencing to Service Program.

The Juvenile Petty Offender Program (JPOP) started in February 2009 as a way to help youth remain law abiding. Adjudicated youth who have issues with education, alcohol, drugs, or conflict with family members and peers receive assistance in the community. Collaborations with organizations such as MAD Dads, YMCA/YWCA, the Somali Youth Network Project, and volunteer mentors help engage offenders in constructive activities.

The Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) is also credited with helping lower the number of youth under supervision in the community or detained in a correctional facility.

For more information please see the report, Juveniles Supervised in Hennepin County at the Start of 2009.