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Connections

Connections: A Different Approach to Juvenile Justice

Fifteen years ago this week, Ontario County Youth Court tried a new approach to juvenile justice. The rules said that young offenders would be treated differently, if they:

1) volunteered to appear in front of a court of their peers, and

2) took responsibility for their actions.

That was just the start. Fifteen years in, the program claims a 91% success record. As in, 91% of those who go through the Youth Court never appear before a judge in any court again. We'll discuss alternative approaches to juvenile justice with our panel:

  • Deb Holland, program director, the Ontario County Youth Court
  • Bonnie Ross, executive director for the Partnership for Ontario County
  • Megan Prusinowski, Youth Court alum; currently a student at SUNY Geneseo
  • Joey Loffredo, student volunteer
  • Kaley Grooms, student volunteer
Connections
Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.