The butterflies, which were raised by juvenile offenders in their habitat garden inside the N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility, were released as a sign of transformation and positive change during a luncheon sponsored by the San Joaquin County Victims Assistance.
Throughout the world, butterflies, some of which migrate thousands of miles around the globe from season to season, are considered symbols of endurance, change, hope and life.
For the youth, raising the butterflies is a rehabilitative exercise to restore their belief that they can change their lives from a criminal past to a more constructive future, in much the same way that a butterfly goes through an enormous transformation from egg, caterpillar and pupa before it emerges in flight. Like the butterfly, crime victims also go through transitions in their lives, emerging as a different person than they were before the crime that affected them.
Rachel Rios, Chief Deputy Secretary for Juvenile Justice noted that DJJ has a strong history of dedication to crime victims. “We believe in the rehabilitation of youth,” she said. “And the first step is to acknowledge what they have done to affect victims through their crimes. When youth recognize the impact they have had on the lives of victims, it’s the first step toward not repeating the mistakes of the past.”
Rios stressed that promoting that awareness is not limited to a National Crime Victims Week, but is part of DJJ’s everyday curriculum. Youth participate in restorative justice projects, including fundraisers for victim’s groups or to pay court-ordered restitution to victims in their individual cases. DJJ youth maintain journals to discuss their insight into their crimes and participate in classes on domestic violence. Crime victims have the option of participating in juvenile parole board hearings, which can provide closure and healing for victims while giving juvenile offenders the opportunity to grow.
Last year, $321,571 was collected from offenders within DJJ facilities and on parole. This figure includes fines imposed by the courts, direct orders disbursed to victims, and orders for Victims of Crime claims. In addition, DJJ youth conducted fund-raising activities to collect donations for community organizations that provide support for crime victims.
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