Jacksonville, Jan. 11, 2008   Mayor John Peyton and John Coxwell, chair of The Jacksonville Journey subcommittee on Targeted Intervention and Rehabilitation, were joined today by Rick Davison, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice, as the group announced efforts to reduce recidivism within the community and provide opportunities for rehabilitated individuals. 

To immediately address issues relating to juvenile crime in the city, the mayor announced that the he and Sheriff John Rutherford will ask the city council to appropriate the funds necessary to make capital improvements at the Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC), located at 1283 East Eighth Street. Those dollars would come from the police drug forfeiture accounts and the city's capital improvement funds. Funds to operate the facility have been secured so JAC could open once the infrastructure repairs are complete.

Last year, the Department of Juvenile Justice assessed and/or detained nearly 7,000 young people locally, making Jacksonville one of the busiest locations of its kind in Florida. Because the Juvenile Assessment Center has been closed, all preliminary screenings are conducted over the phone, an option instituted when the JAC stopped its operation. Once the improvements have been made to the building and security and staffing are in place, the current system - which was implemented as a stop gap measure - can be replaced with a full screening process. This will allow law enforcement patrol officers to get back on the street and the youth to be turned over to the Department of Juvenile Justice. 

"Having a fully operational Juvenile Assessment Center is critical as we work to improve intervention and rehabilitation services in our community," said Mayor Peyton.  "Timely intervention with juveniles can divert them from the wrong course and set them on a better road – one that doesn't lead back to the justice system.  I commend the diligence and dedication of leaders like Council Members Mia Jones, Ray Holt and Dr. Johnny Gaffney, Representative Audrey Gibson and Senators Tony Hill and Steve Wise, who have worked to help restore this important facility to our community."

"Mayor Peyton's support and focus on prevention and intervention in the lives of troubled youth is a testament to his commitment to make Jacksonville a safer, more attentive city," Deputy Secretary of Juvenile Justice Rick Davison said. "The Department of Juvenile Justice is a part of the community and proud to be part of Mayor Peyton's comprehensive efforts to reduce crime.  We specifically want to praise Mayor Peyton and Sheriff Rutherford for agreeing to become full partners on the local advisory board that manages the operation of the reopened Juvenile Assessment Center."

The Targeted Intervention & Rehabilitation subcommittee of The Jacksonville Journey is tasked with identifying ways to expand on successful programs currently targeting troubled youth and adults as part of a comprehensive strategy to reverse the tide of violence that threatens the city's future.

"We need to stop the revolving door of justice and assist both juveniles and adults in moving away from crime and toward a productive and self-sufficient lifestyle," added Peyton. "As with all of the elements being examined by the members of The Jacksonville Journey, solving this problem is not something that city government can do alone. I appreciate the support we are receiving from the community and local and state agencies, as well as our legislators."

According to a study performed by the Jacksonville Community Council, "Society pays a heavy price for crimes committed and for the incarceration of offenders.  That price multiplies if offenders commit crime again.  Therefore, the community has a strong interest in assisting ex-offenders to become successful members of the community, free of crime, living stable and productive lives."                          

With that in mind, the number one priority for this subcommittee is to ensure the restoration of the JAC as soon as possible. Other key areas of focus will include:

Providing support for youth in high-crime neighborhoods:  There are successful multi-agency, intense supervision programs in Boston and Philadelphia designed to keep youth off the streets and out of trouble. Violent crime rates dropped significantly in targeted areas within these cities. The committee will look at implementing similar initiatives in high-crime areas in Jacksonville. Rev. Eugene Rivers from Boston will be in Jacksonville on Feb. 1 to conduct a workshop for faith and community-based organizations based on his work to build successful partnerships in 40 of America's most challenges neighborhoods.

Begin re-entry program while incarcerated:  This program will look at developing a partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections to begin the re-entry process before a prisoner's release. This will include job and life skills training from coaches and service providers.

Provide employment opportunities to rehabilitated individuals:  The subcommittee will look at opportunities to encourage public and private agencies to provide more job opportunities to individuals looking to change their lives and become productive members of society.

Expand programs that are working:  Jacksonville has a host of programs designed to assist people whose lives and actions demonstrate the need for additional guidance and support. These include Operation New Hope, PACE, DAWN and Youthbuild. The subcommittee will look at ways to foster these programs and others like them throughout the community.
           
In his remarks during the press conference, Chair John Coxwell expressed his eagerness to begin the work of the committee. He also cited his own positive experiences with hiring former convicts and put out a call to action for businesses in the area to help support the community and the rehabilitated individuals looking to make a positive change in their life.