Young people and their families who have experienced probation offer invaluable insights into the youth probation system’s strengths and areas for improvement. As part of the Probation Experience Project, a partnership with six local organizations that support people involved in the probation system, we asked young people and their families to share recommendations for transforming probation into a model focused on accountability, personal growth, positive behavior change, and long-term success.
This blog distills select findings from the project into five recommendations. Collectively, these recommendations—intended for those concerned with issues related to youth probation—offer a vision for a system that is supportive, developmentally appropriate, and centered on the needs and strengths of young people and their families.
The Probation Experience Project, funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, was a research-to-practice partnership intended to shift the purpose, culture, and practice of youth probation systems. Six local research teams across the United States partnered with youth researchers to survey and conduct focus groups with young people and caregivers of young people who have experienced probation. To learn more about the project, findings, and recommendations, see the Experiencing Probation: Insights from Young People and Families report.
Create opportunities for young people.
Most young people and families who are navigating youth probation report a lack of meaningful activities and educational opportunities, invalidation from probation staff, and experiences of mistreatment by probation and police officers. Across focus groups and surveys, young people and families shared that they want to feel heard and respected and to receive individualized support in identifying their strengths and setting personal goals.
Provide easy-to-understand materials and resources.
Probation is often confusing for young people and their families due to complex court-ordered requirements that may be difficult to understand and comply with. Clear, accessible information about probation processes, court terminology, rules, and available support—provided at basic reading levels; in multiple languages; and in print, online, and other formats—can foster success for young people in the system and quicker probation termination. Effective resources such as orientation sessions, chatbots, or infographics should be developed in collaboration with individuals who have direct experience with youth probation.
Engage young people in designing their probation requirements.
In both focus groups and surveys, some young people and families reported that their probation requirements were complicated and not always aligned with the young person’s needs. Involving young people in making decisions about the design of their probation requirements—including systems of accountability and incentives—recognizes their agency, fosters a sense of ownership, and enhances the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process.
Partner with community-based organizations to support young people on probation.
Young people on probation and their families are often unaware of community supports that could benefit them. Developing or maintaining an up-to-date, accessible database of community organizations and services would allow probation officers to identify available resources, connect youth with providers who meet their specific needs, and establish a coordinated network of care. This approach would enhance support for young people by ensuring timely and tailored access to relevant services.
Remove probation and court fines and fees for young people.
Fines and fees place immense pressure on young people and their families; in focus groups, family members described them as a barrier to their ability to support the young person on probation. About three in four family members who took our survey reported having “some trouble” paying their young person’s fees or needing to “juggle paying for basic needs” in order to pay fees.
The goal of the Probation Experience Project was to identify ways to make youth probation more supportive and less punitive while increasing family and community involvement. While some states and localities have probation practices that focus on rehabilitation and positive outcomes, our research identifies action items that can help the youth probation system move in a more positive direction.
This project team included young person and family member consultants, representatives of The Annie E. Casey Foundation, and Child Trends researchers.
Probation Experience Project local research teams:
- Camden County Family Support Organization in New Jersey
- Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. in California
- Progeny of Destination Innovation in Kansas
- La Plazita Institute and Albuquerque Justice For Youth Community Collaborative in New Mexico
- VOICES in Indiana
- Strong Arms of MS in Mississippi
Suggested citation
Chan, K., Scott, A., Holquist, S., Gilbertson, J., & Logan, D. (2025). Recommendations to center young people and families in youth probation. Child Trends. DOI: 10.56417/239j5823d