Memphis, TN – There are currently 77 juveniles in the Shelby County Jail on adult charges. Between January 1, 2009 and October 28, 2009, 240 kids have spent time at the county jail. That number has almost doubled compared to a year ago.
Mark Rogers is State Director of the group “Fight Crime: Invest In Kids.”
Rogers is working closely with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office to find ways to keep young people out of jail. Right now the two agencies are coming up with ways to bring federal dollars to Shelby County for youth programs. "If you can prevent it, it's better than having to deal with it down the road," says Rogers.
Luttrell says investing in youth programs will save money in the end.
“The more we invest there, the less I have to invest when they rise to the level of the adult justice system.”
In this strapped economy, federal dollars may be slim however. In the meantime Luttrell is asking for more parental involvement in Memphis and Shelby County.
“I would hope the adults watching tonight would say okay, this is not the sheriff’s responsibility, this is my responsibility.”
Luttrell says state cutbacks in Juvenile Corrections Centers are a big reason more young people are now being charged as adults. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office hopes to start a program in November 2009 that deals with juvenile rehabilitation for inmates under 18.
