Christopher Sprung Staff Writer W ithout frequent and meaningful adult guidance, juvenile offenders released from Minnesota's corrections facilities too often walk a predictable path that leads them back behind bars. Same old gangs. Same old drug or alcohol problems. Same old violence. Same old criminal, dysfunctional or nonexistent families.
Experts say a lack of effective after care contributes greatly to the high failure rate.
The program aims to match 40 juvenile male offenders leaving the Red Wing correctional facility with volunteer adult mentors. The aim is to help offenders fill 50 hours a week with school work and positive recreation, as well as helping set up housing and living arrangements. Volunteer mentors provide encouragement, serve as role models, help set positive goals and serve as a sounding board and listening post for the juveniles. Volunteers commit themselves for a volunteer a year, meeting with youth a minimum of two visits per month and keeping in touch by phone several times a week. They receive 40 hours of training throughout the year.