A forum on juvenile justice

Dear editor, Widespread consensus has it that the juvenile justice system in many places in this country has become a gateway to a criminal career, a ruined life, and a short one.

Does this have to be so? Is there another way of dealing with troubled and wayward young people? The Juvenile Justice Interest Group, which is a subcommittee of the League of Women Voters in Sonoma County, will seek answers to these questions in an interactive forum, “Juvenile Justice in Sonoma County: Looking at Alternatives-Prevention, Intervention, Support Services, Rehabilitation and Education.” They will also address such related questions such as: How do we effectively intervene when a juvenile has offended? When is it necessary to incarcerate an offending youth? What works? What is missing? How do we prevent delinquency and foster positive citizenry?

The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon on March 1 at CHOPS, 509 Adams St., in Santa Rosa. It is co-sponsored by the Sonoma County League of Women Voters and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission of Sonoma County. The keynote speaker, Ms. Jessalyn Nash, is the director of the Restorative Justice Initiative for the American Humane Association (www.americanhumane.org) and the founder of Restorative Resources in Sonoma County.

Residents of Napa County who care about the state of juvenile justice here may find some relevant ideas by participating in this free forum which will be open to all. Info, 836-9822 or 579-5141.

Liz and Bob Stone / Yountville

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