LET'S HORSE AROUND: HOW UTILIZING EQUINE AND HORSEMANSHIP ACTIVITIES FURTHERS THE GOALS OF THE JUVENILE DETENTION ALTERNATIVES INITIATIVE

Note Written By: Yvette DeLaGuardia

The purpose of this Note is to address the areas where improvements in the juvenile justice system can be made, and to analyze how programs using equine and horsemanship activities can function as a means to help achieve two of the more general goals of the JDAI: (1) reducing reliance on secure confinement, and (2) stimulating overall juvenile justice reform.

First, Part I provides a brief overview of the current strategies JDAI employs to achieve the initiative's objectives. Part I then focuses more narrowly on two of the core strategies: collaboration and using new or enhanced alternatives to detention. Further, because JDAI proponents contend that new or enhanced alternatives to detention can be placed on a "continuum of detention alternatives," placement of programs using equine activities and horsemanship activities is also discussed in Part I. Additionally, Part I provides a general examination of the requirements of successful collaboration within a community. Lastly, Part I analyzes whether equine and horsemanship activities fit within the JDAI continuum.

Part II deals with reliance on secure confinement in juvenile facilities. It provides a general explanation as to why courts exercise the secure confinement option. Part II also discusses how current programs using equine and horsemanship activities benefit juvenile offenders. Part II also addresses the ways in which these programs are either currently assisting, or can potentially assist, jurisdictions to reduce their reliance on secure confinement.

Finally, Part III examines whether current programs using equine and horsemanship activities are successful at stimulating overall juvenile justice reform. Specifically, this section discusses the advantages and success rate of these programs, as well as their disadvantages and limitations.

This Note concludes with a definitive conclusion: in addition to making progress towards the goals of JDAI25 through programs using equine and horsemanship activities that place a greater emphasis on early intervention or prevention, these programs are also an efficient means to achieve those objectives. Further, while this Note recognizes the potential pragmatic difficulties in implementing programs using equine and horsemanship activities to achieve the two JDAI goals mentioned above, this Note proposes that, where possible, proper implementation of appropriate equine and horsemanship activities would help reduce reliance on secure confinement and also help stimulate overall juvenile justice reform. Thus, the utilization of equine and horsemanship activities contributes to the success of the both the juvenile justice system in general and to the juveniles whom the system seeks to provide a direct benefit.

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