There are no handcuffs, fences, uniforms or cells for juvenile offenders in Missouri. And Illinois could be the next state to
follow.

The Missouri juvenile corrections facilities are spotless and
look more like college campuses, she said. Children gather
freely with each other and staff -- with whom most are on a
first name basis. The rooms are like dorms, with no bars or confinements. Instead they have bunk beds and dressers.
Therapy and group sessions are held in comfortable living
rooms and lounges.

f the 1,200 teens discharged from the Missouri Division of
Youth Services in 1999, only about 6 percent entered adult
prison within four years, according to state officials. In
Illinois, about 40 percent of young offenders end up in adult
prison within three years of their release from a juvenile
facility.

oung offenders in Illinois live in private cells and staff
members wear police-style uniforms, in contrast to
Missouri's casual non-prison atmosphere even in high-security facilities.

Mumford said that's one of the program's priorities: to help
troubled children adjust to the outside world so they can be
an asset to their communities.

"You have to get to the bottom of all of their problems to
make them adjust," she said.

Mumford said the success she has seen with at-risk children
in Missouri proves reform is possible.

"It doesn't happen overnight," she said. "But it happens."

Of the 1,200 teens discharged from the Missouri Division of
Youth Services in 1999, only about 6 percent entered adult
prison within four years, according to state officials. In
Illinois, about 40 percent of young offenders end up in adult
prison within three years of their release from a juvenile
facility.
"
6% verses 40%!!!!

I would say that is a sucessful program!!

JJT

GO MISSOURI! may this become a widely studied and adopted model. PLEASE.

That is great news. Thanks for sharing it.
Now we need to have it publicised all over the country and see it happen elsewhere. One can only hope (and pray of you are religious)
Still it is very good to know. It was new to me.

There are no handcuffs, fences, uniforms or cells for juvenile offenders in Missouri. And Illinois could be the next state to
follow.

The Missouri juvenile corrections facilities are spotless and
look more like college campuses, she said. Children gather
freely with each other and staff -- with whom most are on a
first name basis. The rooms are like dorms, with no bars or confinements. Instead they have bunk beds and dressers.
Therapy and group sessions are held in comfortable living
rooms and lounges.

f the 1,200 teens discharged from the Missouri Division of
Youth Services in 1999, only about 6 percent entered adult
prison within four years, according to state officials. In
Illinois, about 40 percent of young offenders end up in adult
prison within three years of their release from a juvenile
facility.

oung offenders in Illinois live in private cells and staff
members wear police-style uniforms, in contrast to
Missouri's casual non-prison atmosphere even in high-security facilities.

Mumford said that's one of the program's priorities: to help
troubled children adjust to the outside world so they can be
an asset to their communities.

"You have to get to the bottom of all of their problems to
make them adjust," she said.

Mumford said the success she has seen with at-risk children
in Missouri proves reform is possible.

"It doesn't happen overnight," she said. "But it happens."


I want to keep this near the top. I have children and I believe this is an important issue. I am sending these articles to our local authorities and maybe even to Columbus. Keeping our loved ones out of jail starts here.

I for one would like to see reform.....REAL REHABILTATION!!! Some of these kids even start college when they leave. If you or someone you know is in the political arena please forward this to them.

Thanks

It goes to show people that when they start treating the juveniles with respect and not locking them up in a cage like an animal that these kids will suceed

Go Mizzurah.... Only hope Minnesota will at some point follow