About the Program
Project Insight is a community service work program that provides the opportunity for young people to perform public service work in lieu of other traditional sanctions. The youth are usually first time offenders who are guilty of delinquent behavior and have been charged with minor offenses.
Referrals come from the juvenile court judges, court service unit, intake officers, and occasionally probation officers. Youth are given the opportunity to make amends by donating time to non-profit work sites within the community. Work sites are recruited from government agencies and non-profit organizations.
In order to meet the state mandated nonresidential standards, three distinct programs were identified for Project Insight: Community Services Hours, Law Related Education I and Law Related Education II. All 3 programs are ordered in lieu of more traditional judicial sanctions. The referring party sets the number of hours youth are required to work and/or program assignments.
Group Assignment Project (GAP)
In addition to regularly assigned community service work, GAP allows 3 to 5 youth to work with part-time staff in a closely supervised local park setting. This setting accommodates youth who are very young, have special circumstances or have charges unacceptable for other work sites. GAP typically works on the weekends from late March to November.
Law Related Education I (LRE I)
Youth can also be referred to Law Related Education I. LRE I requires a youth to attend 2 interactive group classes and complete informational homework that is charge specific. The program design uses the Virginia rules evidence-based curriculum that focuses on the criminal justice system with particular emphasis on how Virginia's laws apply to young people. Those who are unable to attend classes can be accommodated. A virtual platform has also been added to the curriculum.
Law Related Education II (LRE II)
When a youth is referred to Project Insight with charges such as destruction of property by fire or having a concealed weapon, they can participate in Law Related Education II. LRE II is strictly for fire and firearm offenses. Referrals are made to the fire and police departments of the various localities and in conjunction with those departments, the youth and their parents will meet with either a Master Firearms Officer or a Fire Safety Educator. They will discuss the dangers to self, other people, property (including the cost of fighting fire), etc.