Ridgeley, W.V. Police Chief Calls For Juvenile Justice Reform
Apr 2nd 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ridgeley Chief of Police Michael S. Miller urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee to increase federal support for interventions that cut juvenile crime. At a hearing with the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, Miller told the panel, chaired by Rep. Allan Mollohan (WV-1), that communities in West Virginia and others need funding for programs that reduce juvenile crime.
"We can't arrest, rearrest and imprison our way out of this problem," Miller said. "Once criminal behavior becomes part of a person's lifestyle, it gets harder and harder to break the cycle. Interventions have to start much earlier to steer kids away from crime."
Currently, many juveniles do not have access to intervention programs that effectively reduce delinquent behavior. Lacking interventions that help them change their behavior, many young lawbreakers are likely to become repeat offenders, Miller said.
The most effective programs include parent and community involvement to counter delinquency. By promoting accountability and discipline in high-risk cases as well as offering community resources, targeted interventions can substantially reduce the likelihood that juvenile offenders will go on to commit more crimes.
Miller urged the appropriations subcommittee to support increased funding for juvenile interventions and rehabilitation programs.
"There is no influence more important in a young person's life than their parents," Miller said. "If we can involve parents and community members, we can deter criminal behavior and offer youth better options than life behind bars."
Effective juvenile interventions can drastically reduce expenses to the public. A study of the Functional Family Therapy program found that it cuts repeat arrests among juveniles in half and saves the public $32,000 for every youth treated.
"Compare the costs. Honest taxpayers in my state have to front tens of millions of dollars to pay room and board for career criminals. I would much rather focus my time and money on early interventions that work rather than foot the bill for tomorrow's criminals," Miller said.
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