Opinion.Jacksonville.Com Article
Juvenile Justice
Enact the Reforms
Juvenile Justive reform in Florida has not occured despite the creation of two blue ribbon panels.
In 1989, a Juvenile Justice Review Task Force, created by Gov. Bob Martinez, came forward with 50 recommendations. Nearly two decades later, at the urging of the Children's Campaign, Gov. Charlie Crist appointed the Juvenile Justice Blueprint Commission. They have come forward with 52 recommendations.
Sen. Steve Wise, R-Jacksonville, is sponsoring reform legislation that could codify the latest recommendations in state law.
This is a new and bold strategy to ensure the report does more than collect dust on a shelf and that another study commission won't be plowing the same ground 20 years from now. Citizens are encouraged to support the legislation and get involved.
Wise has a long history of supporting improvements to educational opportunities in Florida's juvenile justice system, supports after-school programs, knew early on that girls need attention different from boys entering the program, and has protected front end and intervention programs from budget cuts.
ROY W. MILLER
President,
Children's Campaign, Inc.
Tallahassee
Roy Miller is president of Children's Campaign, Inc., a non-partisan and charitable advocacy organization headquartered in Tallahassee. For information about the Campaign's 5 Promises, visit iamforkids.org. or e-mail rmiller@iamforkids.org.