Statewide reforms have helped aid juveniles at Denney center

I’m writing in regards to the Sept. 28 Herald article, “No more youth jail, group demands at small rally in Everett.” It was held in front of Denney Juvenile Justice Center to demand its closure. What the protesters fail to understand is all the good the center has done for kids and our community. Here’s what I recall from when I worked there:

Back in the 1990s juvenile court judges and administrators researched ways to deal with the statewide problem of rising juvenile crime. They focused their attention on research-based targeted interventions. By using programs like drug court, detention alternatives and in-depth one-on-one screening to name a few, all taught by masters level instructors, detention has dropped.

Now, 20 years later, recidivism is down and the number of incarcerated juveniles has gone from 60 or 70 in 2000 to today’s population of 14. Incarceration is now used as a last resort. In short, thanks to community-based juvenile justice we have come a long way in helping our youth become productive citizens without the need for excessive lock-down.

Keep up the great work.

Jim Cory

Everett