Changing young lives

A new direction is needed for the state's troubled juvenile justice system

It's shortsighted to keep building bigger prisons for adults without also taking strong steps to prevent Florida's at-risk youth from ending up in cells for life. That's a mistake the state has made in the past by not investing enough in rehabilitative programs for juvenile offenders. And Gov. Charlie Crist risks compounding past problems. He's pumping more than $147 million into the adult corrections budget, but hasn't addressed a $45 million funding gap for juvenile justice services.

He proposes shifting some dollars for youth services around, but overall would clip almost $20 million from the Department of Juvenile Justice. That's a mistake for an agency already in crisis.

Many groups that contract with the state to provide services for troubled youth -- such as Frances Walker Halfway House in Titusville, the Space Coast Marine Institute in Melbourne and Outward Bound Discovery in Scottsmoor -- are already running on empty. Under current rates they're paid, they can't hire or keep qualified staff such as teachers , says Wendell Watson, director of the Marine Institute.

Those programs have solid records for reducing repeat offenses. But high staff turnover undermines the stable environment for learning and living that youth need to turn their lives around.

The situation is at the breaking point, with many providers pulling out of Florida or refusing to bid on state contracts. And kids in need of treatment for substance abuse, medical and psychological problems are stuck on waiting lists or sent home on probation with no new skills or supports, again a threat to public safety.

What's more, placement for young offenders who do get a spot is a craps shoot, based on where there's an open bed, not which program has the expertise to treat a particular problem, say area providers. Crist's cuts to juvenile justice could worsen those problems.

During the March session of the Legislature lawmakers -- including Rep. Mitch Needelman, R-Melbourne, vice chair of the Juvenile Justice committee -- have to come back with more dollars to keep good programs up and running.

An independent commission to study and overhaul the system -- recommended by the Florida Juvenile Justice Association and children's advocacy groups -- is also needed.

With a new leader in charge at DJJ -- Crist appointee and veteran Tallahassee police chief Walt McNeil -- now is the right moment for that study.

Combined with findings from a state Inspector General's Office report to Needelman's committee last year, study results can identify the most effective ways to match kids to programs that help them straighten up. That's key to preventing more from turning into lifelong criminals and drags on society, and every bit as important as getting more adult felons off the streets.

Without such programs, kids boomerang deeper into the criminal justice system and the costly cycle of violence and wasted lives just repeats itself, and grows.

Opinion: Florida Today
12 February 2007

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070212/OPINION/702120304/1004

http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=162091

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