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| DOC may free up to 100 teens |
| By Indianapolis Star |
| Published: 02/07/2005 |
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The Indiana Department of Correction could release up to 100 young adults -- all over 18 -- from state juvenile facilities within 10 days, a spokesman said last Thursday. The department is still reviewing those inmates, but 66 have received preliminary approval for a complete release, and 34 others have been tentatively cleared for release on the juvenile version of parole, said Randy Koester, executive assistant to Commissioner J. David Donahue. On Thursday, 1,239 juveniles were held in state-run facilities. Of that number, 181 were over 18. Koester called the possible releases "good correctional practice." The youths are all over 18 and have resources available to help them make a smooth transition, Koester said. Officials also are concerned about housing them with younger inmates, he said. "When they reach a certain age, we've done what we can do, and it's time to find placement," Koester said. "It's time for them to do what adults need to do -- find a job, find a place to stay and start living their lives." Each inmate is being reviewed on a case-by-case basis, Koester said. They committed mostly nonviolent crimes including theft and drug offenses. Steve Johnson, director of the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council, said he was not notified of the prison system's plans to free the young inmates. "I was not aware of that, and I think prosecutors might be concerned." The juvenile system is geared toward rehabilitating youths to make them productive. In the more punitive adult system, convicts are handed fixed sentences. The juvenile courts typically hand youths open-ended sentences, and judges give the Department of Correction the authority to free them when they are ready. Koester said when Gov. Mitch Daniels appointed Donahue to the post last month, the new commissioner said he intended to evaluate all resources available. "We're trying to make the best use of the resources available to us." |
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