The County Line
We hear a lot about programs and events designed to keep troubled young people away from crime or deal with them when they first stray.
Indianapolis Mayor Hogsett, for example, rolls out some new program every other month it seems. I always wonder if these efforts are doing any good.
While not getting a lot of publicity, it appears Hamilton County is participating in something that has some success. It’s called the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. Hamilton is one of 36 Indiana counties that is using this state-sponsored program.
Funding comes from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, something I had never heard of. The idea is to keep low-risk juvenile offenders out of detention, which essentially means jail.
Some juveniles need to be in detention, but to put low-risk kids there can head them toward bigger problems.
Bob Bragg is the county probation officer in charge of the alternatives initiative. He appeared before county commissioners on Monday asking approval for the hiring of a contractual employee to be paid by the Casey Foundation. The request was approved.
Bragg says there are only six juveniles currently in the secure detention center, and one in the non-secured section of the Juvenile Center on Cumberland Road. Sixteen others are under house arrest at home with parents.
When a juvenile is brought in by authorities, he or she is given a risk assessment to determine if detention or some other form of control is needed pending appearance in juvenile court.
Officials feel the program is working to help reduce delinquency. And, if you consider the county’s population is over 320,000, having that few juveniles locked up at one time is noteworthy.