Since he's been incarcerated in the Monroe County Youth Center the past 1½ years, Eric Haskins has learned to dedicate himself to schooling and the skill to use power tools when he helped build a ramp for local disabled residents. But the 15-year-old also learned something that might be more valuable while serving his time: There is nobility in community service and honor in providing it.
Eric was convicted in the January, 2007, accidental fatal shooting of his 18-year-old brother, Jeffrey. He said grief counselors from Gabby's Ladder helped him get through the difficult times. And now, as part of repayment, he cleans their offices. "It feels good getting out of the building and helping people out," Eric said. "I never really got in any trouble. It was kind of hard being locked up and not being able to go to my brother's funeral and being away from my family. Therapy helped me."
Eric's involvement in community projects is part of a year-long philosophy in how to properly rehabilitate juvenile offenders. Many of those who work with them have embraced what can be considered literally the ABC's of juvenile treatment: Active Balanced Community (ABC).
Since 2001, judges, probation officers, therapists and others have worked together to teach and show young offenders that their criminal actions have direct effect on others. Additionally, they are taught skills that can be used upon release and also must learn to take responsibility for their actions.
Veteran Monroe County Probate Judge Pamela A. Moskwa is a supporter of the ABC methods and has seen the results since the idea was adopted over the past several years. "I think it's had a tremendous impact," Judge Moskwa said. "We're drawing out more positive behavior. I think it improves the odds that that kid will do better when he's released. We give kids an opportunity."
ABC is more a philosophy than a program. showing young offenders the effects of their actions and by involving them in projects that benefit the community, the hope is they build up their self-esteem as they hold themselves accountable.
Jim Vanderpool, superintendent of the Monroe County Youth Center, said that in the past, juveniles housed at the facility did their time and performed tasks within the confines of the building on S. Custer Rd. Now, they are out building ramps and knitting caps for cancer patients. They create colorful bowls and sell them to raise money for the homeless. They do yard work for churches and others. Along the way, they learn.
Since 2006, juveniles in the youth center have performed more than 1,800 hours of community service. "You're not going to sit here for 30 days," Mr. Vanderpool said. "You're going to do something. We can teach them some kind of skill they can take from here."
The initiative, officials say, has worked wonders within the juvenile justice system. It has saved millions of dollars, decreased time offenders spend in the youth center and involved the community.
Millions of dollars in grant money have been obtained so the teens do not have to be sent away for treatment. Additionally, more youths and their families have been served. But getting the teens involved with projects has been met with some resistance. Some people are not comfortable being in the presence of young offenders. "It's meant to change the attitude of the community," Judge Moskwa said. "It's not always an easy concept to promote."
But that has been changing. Officials said the community has become more accepting of the notion that they mostly are good kids who did bad things and need direction. The process is not simple, but supporters of ABC believe in the philosophy and feel the numbers support its success.
And as for young offenders like Eric Haskins, he is proof that juveniles in the system can learn skills to use in the real world instead of falling into the same destructive behavior after they are released. Eric will have his chance to prove it when he's released in four days. He vows to enroll in high school, get a job and earn his driver's license. "I'm going to try to stay away from all the people I hung around with," Eric said. "I've learned a lot since I've been in here."
Ray Kisonas
24 May 2008
http://www.monroenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080524/NEWS01/745872782
