Under the Emmonak program, begun in July 1999, delinquent youth identified by the magistrate and/or by Bethel-area juvenile probation officers are referred to the Emmonak Elders' Group. The elders will assist youthful offenders in understanding the harm they've done and will hold them accountable through the assignment of appropriate penalties. They may direct that juveniles make restitution to the community by performing different kinds of community service. In addition, elders will draw on their knowledge of the community to assess family or individual needs and refer youth to other available services, such as domestic violence, suicide prevention, or dug and alcohol counseling services.

Youthful offenders are given the option of appearing before the Elders' Group or of going through the justice system in the standard way. Those who appear before the Elders and complete their assigned penalties will have their cases formally adjusted by the Bethel Intake Office.

The Justice Center's evaluation of the program will address the concerns and impressions of all participants in the Emmonak program, including the seven elders in the Elders' Group, with youthful offenders and their parents, and with victims. In addition to assessing community satisfaction with the program, the Justice Center will examine quantitative data about the offense behavior of delinquent youth, both those who participate in the Elders' Group program and those who do not.

Reports

Schafer, N. E. and Knox, Corey. (Jul 2001). Evaluation of a JAIBG-Funded Project: Emmonak Elders' Group. Report prepared under Grant No. 1999-JR-VX-K005 from the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Anchorage, AK: Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage.

Articles

Justice Center, University of Alaska Anchorage. (Summer 2001). "Emmonak Juveniles and the Elders' Group." Alaska Justice Forum 18(2): 1, 3-8.