Youth services is costly and recidivism is high. Youth offenders too often become adult offenders. We need a program that reduces recidivism to prevent repeat offenders and to save money. Multisystemic Therapy has been shown to drastically reduce recidivism rates and yet it is still not used in every state. Numerous studies have proven that the MST approach has long-term results, reducing re-arrest rates up to 70 percent and reducing out-of-home placements up to 64 percent. MST breaks the cycle of criminal behavior by keeping youths at home, in school and out of trouble.(cite)
Many studies have shown that MST significantly reduces recidivism in juvenile offenders. Currently, MST has over 500 teams in 34 states, 15 countries and is treating …show more content…
These are the preferred methods in the United States. Many states have tried to simply punish juvenile offenders by removing a youth offender from their family and home and placing them into a facility. These facilities vary from juvenile hall, secured juvenile facilities, or even adult jail. This method often results in high rates of recidivism as the deviant minor in question has now been morphed into a hardened criminal through exposure to more experienced criminals (May, Osmond, and Billick 2014). Non-incarceration punishments are also a possibility if the judge decides incarceration is not suited for the crime. These are restorative methods which include fines, verbal warnings, community service, electronic monitoring, probation and …show more content…
MST focuses on family, school and social aspects of the minor 's life that have played a role in their delinquent behavior. MST provides 24 hour available parental guidance, a multifaceted therapy plan which includes family, group and individual therapy sessions, educational support as well as a change in the juvenile 's peer group. The focus on eliminating anti-social behavior and forming a quality peer group while creating supportive family relationships are key aspects in MST. The philosophy behind MST is that just as it was a variety of social structures and life experiences in a juvenile 's life that led to delinquent behavior, so there must be rehabilitative efforts applied to all the aspects of a child 's life. Because everyone 's background is different, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to MST; each program is specifically designed for that youth (May, Osmond, and Billick
Many studies have shown that MST significantly reduces recidivism in juvenile offenders. Currently, MST has over 500 teams in 34 states, 15 countries and is treating …show more content…
These are the preferred methods in the United States. Many states have tried to simply punish juvenile offenders by removing a youth offender from their family and home and placing them into a facility. These facilities vary from juvenile hall, secured juvenile facilities, or even adult jail. This method often results in high rates of recidivism as the deviant minor in question has now been morphed into a hardened criminal through exposure to more experienced criminals (May, Osmond, and Billick 2014). Non-incarceration punishments are also a possibility if the judge decides incarceration is not suited for the crime. These are restorative methods which include fines, verbal warnings, community service, electronic monitoring, probation and …show more content…
MST focuses on family, school and social aspects of the minor 's life that have played a role in their delinquent behavior. MST provides 24 hour available parental guidance, a multifaceted therapy plan which includes family, group and individual therapy sessions, educational support as well as a change in the juvenile 's peer group. The focus on eliminating anti-social behavior and forming a quality peer group while creating supportive family relationships are key aspects in MST. The philosophy behind MST is that just as it was a variety of social structures and life experiences in a juvenile 's life that led to delinquent behavior, so there must be rehabilitative efforts applied to all the aspects of a child 's life. Because everyone 's background is different, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to MST; each program is specifically designed for that youth (May, Osmond, and Billick