Jackson Free Press

Pulling into the parking lot of the Baton Rouge Marine Institute, you wouldn't think of it as a building that kids walk in and out of daily that changes their lives. It was a YMCA before it became the BRMI center. It is an alternative to locking up kids who have committed status offenses—non-violent "crimes" such as missing too much school or fighting in school. This program is part of a larger network of the Associated Marine Institutes—a non-profit organization that operates more than 50 programs for juvenile offenders in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Texas and others.

Since its inception, BRMI has had over a 66-percent success rate for more than 10,000 youth—both residential and non-residential. That is, over three years following their completion of the program—which is usually six to eight months—the youth have been tracked by a probation office and have not been in any more trouble. Community board members govern the institute, just like other programs in states offering community-based alternatives for their youth offenders.

These programs strive to rehabilitate, motivate and prevent more problems. Each state's system is unique and caters to local needs. The Baton Rouge center is staff-secure, but it has no hardware such as razor fences or handcuffs.

There is unbridled enthusiasm during the program's morning session. The kids chant in perfect unison, "BRMI to change our lives," and each kid shakes all the visitors' hands and introduces themselves. After that, they have a pep-session and say the Pledge of Allegiance.

At BRMI, a model for future Mississippi community-based alternatives, each child receives counseling and attends class daily. They set goals daily and work on reality therapy, conflict resolution, dealing with peer pressure, community service and confidence-building adventure activities throughout the day. The program requires a polo shirt and khakis as the uniform.

When 17-year-old Angelica Croom from Thibodaux, La., is asked if she likes being at BRMI, she responds, "Yes sir, I'm glad I got to choose this. It was either this or being behind bars. I've been here almost five months and will graduate in three months. I still get to spend time with my family while I'm here, and I have learned how to deal with some personal problems. This place helps those who want to be helped." Croom is in BMRI because of a fight at school. She now lives with her sister in Baton Rouge until she graduates.

Croom says she has finally gotten to a point in her life where she wants to make good choices because she sees where your life can go if you don't. She speaks of her fears about going back out into the real world and failing school there. She wants to do well, but she lacks self-confidence. Croom says that BRMI has taught her that "no matter what you are going through, somebody else is going through something worse. You will get through it."

With children learning computer skills, vocational skills and job training, it's almost inevitable they will do better when they get out. Every program in the nation is unique. The best known is the Last Chance Ranch in the Florida Everglades. It is for more serious offenders, but there are many others around the Southeast, even programs specifically designed for young mothers.

Tesheka Riley has been at BRMI for a little over three months. Glancing at her, you would never guess this frail, shy girl had gotten into a fight at school. However, she did and instead of going to jail, they sent her to BRMI. She says she's glad she is there and has learned a good amount about respect and being a leader, not a follower. At only 15, Riley asserts, "This program is a second chance for us, and we deserve it."

JFP INDEX: Juvenile Injustice?

% of children in Mississippi locked up in training schools who
are African American: 80

% of Mississippi's population that is African American: 36

Number of juvenile dispositions in Mississippi in 2001:
21,496 (1 in 18 kids)

% of those against children ages 10 to 18: 98

% of all children in state detainment who meet criteria for
mental disorders: 66-85

% of Mississippi children who live in poverty: 23.9

% of children in poverty here who are eligible for free or
reduced lunch: 64.2

Amount Mississippi spends per child in detainment per year:
$35,000-$50,000

Amount Mississippi spends per child for public education each year:
$6,143

Sources: 2003 Annual Report from Mississippi Dept. of Human
Services, U.S. Census Report, Mississippi's American Civil Liberties Union (Summer 2004), Education Week's "Quality Counts 2005"

The Steps of a Juvenile Delinquent Case

1. Arrest, referral and initial detainment
After being arrested by a law enforcement official or by "referrals" by parents, schools and probation officers, a decision is made whether a youth should be detained and charged, released or transferred into another youth welfare program. When a case reaches the juvenile probation department, an intake officer decides whether to dismiss it, handle it informally or hear it formally. While a youth awaits trial, he or she may be held in a "secure detention facility."

2. Hearing and disposition
About 50 percent of all juvenile justice cases are heard informally, and most are dismissed. An "informal disposition" occurs if a youth admits guilt and agrees to settle the charges by meeting the court's requirements, which are laid out in a "consent decree." Once they agree, the youth will be released on probation to fulfill his obligations and be monitored by a probation officer. After the requirements of the "consent decree" are met, the case will be dismissed. If the youth fails to follow through on the orders outlined by the court, he or she may have to face a formal hearing.

3. Formal Hearing
Cases may be heard in either juvenile or criminal court. Most cases involving juveniles fall under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court.

4. Petitions
Juvenile courts receive two petitions from prosecutors: "delinquency petitions" and "waiver petitions." A delinquency petition asks a judge to declare a youth "delinquent," and a waiver petition asks the juvenile court to forfeit its authority over a case and transfer it to criminal court.