The Juvenile Offenders
Outreach Program (JOOP) is a program in which first and second time
juvenile offenders are enrolled in lieu of being sent to the Mercer
County Youth House. Juveniles, ages 12 through 17, are referred by the
family court, police departments, and the Mercer County Probation Department.
This program was originally specifcally for auto theft-related offenses,
but as demand for effective programming outlets for juvenile probationers
increased the types of offenses referred to the program expanded.
The program is a twelve-week intensive program designed to redirect the
offenders to more positive pursuits, attitudes, and approaches to circumstances
which affect them. The curriculum is designed to increase the young offenders
self-esteem and self-worth, develop positive value systems, teach decision
making skills and conflict resolution/anger management skills, develop
the ability to distinguish between fact and fantasy, instill respect for
authority and begin to develop goal-setting ability. Participants are
strongly encouraged to remain in school and if they have already dropped
out, are assisted in the re-enrollment process. As an incentive to complete
their education and to remain active in the program, JOOP graduates receive
credits at the Trenton Daylight Twilight School.
JOOP has an open door policy and any graduate of the program is welcome
to attend the weekly sessions. Attendance by graduates is a regular occurrence
and often these young people serve as examples for currently enrolled
participants. The success of the program is measured in the recidivism
rate of JOOP graduates. To date the majority of graduates have not re-entered
the juvenile justice system.
