One local program designed to straighten out juvenile offenders is getting national attention.
The State Attorney’s Office Juvenile Diversion Program will be featured tonight on A&E during the hour long program “Beyond Scared Straight” which airs at 10 PM.
The show will focus on eight young men between 12 and 17 years old who have entered the criminal justice system. They tour the Duval County Jail, the trauma unit and morgue at Shands Jacksonville, and the Humane Society.
The program is 90 days long and uses felons to talk to kids about life in prison. The at-risk youth will also be put inside body bags. Finally, they can pick a pet from the Humane Society, which organizers often see help the kids open up about their feelings.
Out of 1040 cases last year, 881 youth offenders successfully completed the program last year.
