Reducing recidivism
Many crimes are committed by repeat offenders, and in Miramar, Fla., approximately 21 percent of violent crimes are committed by those who have previous convictions.
To reduce these numbers, particularly in juvenile offenders, the Miramar Police Department implemented the Preventing Repeat Incarcerations through Monitoring and Enforcement (PRIME) Unit program. PRIME detectives create and maintain relationships with at-risk individuals and their families to keep youths out of trouble.
Detectives are assigned to particular at-risk individuals and regularly talk to parents about issues such as grades, pressures in the child’s social life, issues of inequality and other risk factors.
Ray Black, Miramar’s chief of police, says that although many residents were hesitant to participate, with time and trust, parents have developed a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship with PRIME detectives. What was once an adversarial relationship between law enforcement and these families has now become one of understanding, with both parties working for the betterment of the community.
The unit works with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Probation and Parole, the Broward State Attorney’s Office along with the Judiciaries. The program operates within Mirimar’s police budget and did not require additional funding.
Many crimes are committed by repeat offenders, and in Miramar, Fla., approximately 21 percent of violent crimes are committed by those who have previous convictions.
To reduce these numbers, particularly in juvenile offenders, the Miramar Police Department implemented the Preventing Repeat Incarcerations through Monitoring and Enforcement (PRIME) Unit program. PRIME detectives create and maintain relationships with at-risk individuals and their families to keep youths out of trouble.
Detectives are assigned to particular at-risk individuals and regularly talk to parents about issues such as grades, pressures in the child’s social life, issues of inequality and other risk factors.
Ray Black, Miramar’s chief of police, says that although many residents were hesitant to participate, with time and trust, parents have developed a healthy and mutually beneficial relationship with PRIME detectives. What was once an adversarial relationship between law enforcement and these families has now become one of understanding, with both parties working for the betterment of the community.
The unit works with the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Department of Probation and Parole, the Broward State Attorney’s Office along with the Judiciaries. The program operates within Mirimar’s police budget and did not require additional funding.
