ABSTRACT
There are gendered differences in how juvenile offenders currently residing in program-based facilities are treated. To understand these differences, interviews were conducted with ten male juvenile offenders, 21 female juvenile offenders, and six correctional staff from three residential facilities. We analyze juvenile respondents’ accounts about their experiences while detained and their concerns about reentry. We found gendered differences in the types of support and services that juveniles desire prior to release and about their perceptions of beneficial programing. Juvenile males favored programming that promoted learning a trade or practical skills, whereas juvenile females preferred educational-based programing. Interviews with correctional staff revealed that their perceptions of effective reentry programming aligned with gendered expectations. We conclude with an evaluation of programs and with recommendations for improving the reentry process for juvenile offenders.
