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A blue ribbon panel is recommending 52 changes to the state’s juvenile
justice system. One recommendation calls for gender specific programs
for girls. The report also found a disproportionate number of minorities
in the system. One recommendation also made reference to failed boot
camp experiences, saying the state should not invest in programs that
are unproven. Corrections Secretary Walt McNeil said the state must
establish a balance in juvenile justice.

“Our system had gotten out of balance and one of the key things that I
summit to our legislature is that we’ve got to stay focused on making sure
that we never get our system out of balance, that it’s always balanced on
prevention on the front end and obviously correction on the back end and in
the middle,” said McNeil, Secretary of The Department of Juvenile Justice.

The report also said the state should find alternatives to locking kids up
and when lockup is necessary, it should be in smaller facilities with
good educational and skill building programs.