Work Camps for Utah Juvenile Offenders

It often takes work to make positive changes in someone’s life. That can be the case for delinquent juveniles, as well. The Juvenile Justice System has the ability to assign juveniles to work camps where the kids are required to do basic physical labor.

Work camps are non-secure residential youth programs with projects that are contracted to government agencies. Work projects can also assist senior citizens, charities, community fundraisers and other special needs programs.

Delinquent youth can be assigned to work camp when other methods of assistance or rehabilitation have failed. Youth who are violent or predatory, have a history of psychological or emotional problems, those who are a suicide risk or those youth who are taking medication for depression are not eligible for work camps.

Some of the benefits of work camps are:

• Actual work hours spent by a juvenile can be credited towards the juvenile’s restitution account;
• Youth can learn what it feels like to serve others, sometimes the less fortunate;
• Kids are given the opportunity to work until a project is completed. They may be painting fences, doing light construction, mowing lawns, etc.

Many parents today are dealing with kids in crisis, not because their children don’t have enough but because kids often have way more than they need. Teaching kids the value of work before they get into the juvenile justice system may save them much heartache. It’s good to know, however, that the juvenile justice system is trying to think outside the box when it comes to helping delinquent juveniles get back on the right track.

Take time to put your kids to work. Assign them household tasks that they can accomplish, giving them a sense of purpose. Helping around the house today may make a big difference tomorrow in keeping your kids out of trouble.