It's nice to see a Public Official
say something good about the Privates. Here is a
clip on commendations for one of CRN's juvenile
facilities.
Thursday May 25, 7:02 am Eastern Time
New Mexico
Governor Commends Cornell's Santa Fe County Youth
Development Program
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25,
2000--Cornell Companies (NYSE:CRN - news) -- Juvenile offenders
can turn their lives around by learning from their
mistakes, focusing on educational and other reform programs
instead of just serving out their punishments, New Mexico
Gov. Gary Johnson says.
``Make the most out of
your stay here and you can do anything, including
putting this behind you,'' Johnson said during a recent
visit with juvenile offenders detained in a juvenile
detention facility operated by Cornell Companies.
Johnson's comments to the juveniles came as he toured
Cornell's Santa Fe County Youth Development Program
(SFCYDP) to observe first-hand what many consider a model
program for youth offenders. He met with more than 100
adolescents in the facility during his two-hour tour.
Cornell's SFCYDP has been recognized by federal and state
officials as being one of only a few juvenile facilities in
the country to offer such a well-rounded treatment
and education curriculum, including a GED program
with a graduation ceremony, anger management classes,
parenting classes, Native American programming, and a life
skills curriculum in a secure setting. It is because of
this extensive proactive programming that Cornell's
SFCYDP houses troubled adolescents from across the
country.
Thomas R. Jenkins, vice president and chief
operating officer, said, ``In addition to the intense
therapy provided in a secure setting, SFCYDP's programs
are designed to also provide troubled youths with an
education and basic life skills, including instruction in
personal hygiene, appropriate dress and socialization
skills, so they have a better shot at becoming productive
members of the community upon release.''
``We do all
of this in an environment of respect, care and
concern, something these kids are not always used to
receiving,'' Jenkins added.
Most of the adolescents were
unaware the governor was coming to observe their daily
activities. They said they were impressed with the visit.
``It makes me feel kind of important that the
governor, who is probably pretty busy, would actually come
and check us out,'' said one SFCYDP resident.
Johnson commended the facility's staff on a job well
done.
``It's obvious you care about these kids and
you're doing a fine job helping them turn their lives
around,'' Johnson said.
The SFCYDP began operations in
1997, and houses up to 129 male and female adolescents,
ranging from 11 - 23 years of age. Judges from around the
country send juvenile offenders to the SFCYDP because of
its reputation for preeminent programming.