January 6, 2006

Dear Editor:

Over the holidays, two articles appearing in The Sentinel and a letter to the editor from Joe Higgins assessed the state of the juvenile justice system in Colorado. If the members of the Association of Private Correctional and Treatment Organizations (APCTO) were looking for a way to "grow young criminals" to fill our prison cells, we would be delighted with the problems described. Obviously, that is not our wish.

When considering juvenile justice problems, we must acknowledge an issue that is reminiscent of the old TV commercial... "You pay me now or you pay me later." Virtually every adult inmate in prison began his or her journey as a juvenile getting into trouble with the law.

Like Joe Higgins, we understand the difficult choices that public policy leaders must make and we recognize the limited resources available. But the costs of not dealing with the problem are enormous. The cost of crime to society, the government, the judicial system and the victims is staggering. The proper application of treatment, education, rehabilitation and even punishment is the best method of breaking the cycle of criminality and avoiding the costs of a criminal adult.

APCTO urges the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and members of the legislature of the State of Colorado to dig deep to find the resources to provide troubled juveniles with a chance to avoid a life of crime.

Sincerely,
 

 
Michael T. LoBue, CAE
Executive Director