Current scientific research on adolescent brain development shows that teenagers’ brains are still developing adult reasoning capabilities and that environmental influences affect this development.  Additionally, research and data show that as teens brains catch up with the rest of their bodies, most youth, even those who were involved in the juvenile justice system, become mature, law-abiding adults.  Research and experience show that adolescents are at a vulnerable stage in life when adult behaviors are more accessible, but they do not have the same capacity to regulate these behaviors as adults do.  During this time, adolescents are particularly susceptible to making the kinds of poor decisions that get them involved in the criminal justice system. Adolescent brains are still developing and don't have the same reasoning capacity as adult brains.

Adolescence is a time of tremendous opportunity, but to maximize this opportunity, teenagers must be provided appropriate guidance, a nurturing environment and support.  These types of  positive experiences, relationships and role models can help prevent youth from becoming involved in criminal activity and help those who are already involved in the criminal system get back on a positive pathway to adulthood.  North Carolina’s Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP) is structured to provide developmentally appropriate services, treatment and punishments.