If a student were caught vandalizing school property a decade ago, he would likely have been suspended from school for a few days or given a good talking to by the principal.  Over the past few years, however, schools have begun implementing novel methods of punishing and rehabilitating such students, including the implementation of peer jury "trials."

If that same student were caught today, he might instead be subject to a peer jury hearing, during which several of his classmates would question him to discover the underlying reasons for his actions.  They would then assign a punishment meant to force the vandal to consider the effect of his actions on others.  

"I'm just thrilled to death over the decisions peer jurors have made so far," said Tamara Boyce, a planning analyst at the Hennepin County, Minn., Department of Community Corrections.  "These are just great kids, and they're doing a great job coming up with consequences that help other students direct their lives in a positive direction." 

The Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections and Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis have partnered recently in a pilot program that has made the peer jury process easier to implement.

The program takes its jurors from Link Crew, a preexisting student leader program common in many high schools throughout the U.S.  Link Crew now doubles as a pool of exceptional students to act as peer jurors for Patrick Henry High School.

This collaboration has proven to be both effective and active--the peer jury program has held hearings for 36 students since it began last October. 

A Pre-existing Program

The connection between peer juries and Link Crew seems natural.  Link Crew was originally designed to help students with leadership capabilities find positive outlets for their abilities.  Comprised of 30 upperclassmen, this group trains positive role models for the school's academic and social community

"The Link Crew works closely with the school in regulating student activities and functions," said George Nolan, Peer Jury Advisor at Patrick Henry High School.  "They recently helped design and run a celebration of freshman awards [and they] often sit on student councils and help arrange positive social activities."

These experiences make them excellent jurors, said Boyce.  "They are phenomenal kids," she said.  "They take this role very seriously."

Before they sit on their first peer jury, Link Crew members receive three hours of intensive training.  During this time, they discuss the concept of a peer juror as well as the specific duties they will be expected to perform.  In addition, the training incorporates role-playing of court hearings and presentations by local court officials, including judges. 

"Students are taught to listen and to understand mitigating circumstances during this training process," Boyce said.  "They learn that their job is not to apply negative punishment.  Instead, they learn to create an appropriate response to negative behavior that builds community in and outside of the school."

The Peer Jury Hearing

Court hearings at Patrick Henry are a voluntary process for students who have already admitted to breaking school policies.  Instead of being subjected to the school's traditional punishment procedures or, for more extreme crimes, traditional court hearings, ninth grade students at Patrick Henry can chose to have their issues resolved through the peer jury system instead.

The peer jury hearing is meant to help students think through their actions, which often include vandalism, truancy, minor theft, and chemical dependence.  Three jurors question the student about his or her actions and motivations.  Parents and guardians are also invited to attend this hearing.

"We really encourage parent and guardian involvement.  We have seen a great response from many parents who seem very interested in the process and in helping their child work through problems," Nolan said.

Over the course of several sessions, the peer jurors determine a consequence that will help the student learn not to repeat his or her offense and to make decisions in the future that benefit the community. These consequences can include community service, goal setting, group therapy, and relationships with role models.

"For example, a young lady struggling in school might be asked to build a homework plan with one of her teachers," Boyce said.  "The process often involves connecting respondents with mentors."

Common sentences also often encourage connections with the local community. 

"We have a base of active community members who mentor students," said Nolan.  "We pair students with local community members including businessmen and women, much like big brother or big sister program."

Peer jurors can also "sentence" respondents to school betterment activities such as helping janitors clean the building or assisting at sporting events.  Such activities are meant to increase the student's connection with the school.

"It's a hard transition into ninth grade," said Nolan.  "The program offers clues about the sort of things students need to be doing to survive high school.  It offers an opportunity for students to rethink their attitude and actions."

If students fail to comply with the peer jury's verdict, they will either be sent back to the school's conventional system of punishment or they will be referred to the local court system, Nolan said.

But Nolan said he hopes the students will stay in the program because instead of punishment, they will be given the chance to build skills through positive learning opportunities.

Nolan said that the program has been so successful at getting ninth graders involved in the school and community that he is considering training a few former "defendants" to be future jurors. 

"The program effectively builds positive peer pressure that helps these kids respect their school and become integrated into the community," Boyce said.

The Hennepin County Department of Community Corrections can be reached at 612.348.7059.