tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62734756157503686752024-02-20T19:01:09.680-08:00Isabelle Zehnder: CAICA: Cut cast for boot campIsabelle Zehnderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064388380870609233noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6273475615750368675.post-89395600990513383142007-10-05T20:51:00.000-07:002007-10-05T20:53:35.568-07:00ISABELLE ZEHNDER: CAICA: Crist: Cut cash for youth camp<a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-bootcamp2107sep21,0,739344.story">Article</a><br />Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writer <br />September 21, 2007 <br /><br />Gov. Charlie Crist is recommending the state abolish its only STAR program -- the replacement for controversial youth boot camps -- as part of his plans to slash millions of dollars from the state budget.<br /><br />Crist's proposal suggests cutting $4.3 million that funds the STAR program in Polk County, a center for moderate-risk males that emphasizes education, vocational training and volunteerism and provides counseling services for youths and their families.<br /><br />Officials with the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the agency contracted to run the 100-bed facility, said they don't want to close the program and were surprised by the governor's recommendation.<br /><br />"We certainly believe in the program. We need something to change these kids' criminality," said sheriff's Chief Gary Hester. "It's not like we make a profit off the contract. The only incentive here is to do the right thing, and in the long term, prevent crime."<br /><br />Crist has recommended more than $600 million in cuts to state agencies' operating budgets.<br /><br />At a special session next month, legislators will tackle a $1.1 billion shortfall in the state's budget.<br /><br />Of Crist's proposed cuts, about $33 million are slated for the Department of Juvenile Justice at a time when cops, prosecutors and judges have said the state's juvenile-justice system is broken.<br /><br />Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, said she disagrees with Crist's proposal and cannot support "any cut" to the STAR program.<br /><br />"This program is a well-run and highly effective successor to the boot-camp concept," Dockery said.<br /><br />"With the current rate of juvenile crime, we should be encouraging more of these programs and making greater use of this one instead of threatening cuts."<br /><br />Boys in Polk's STAR program spend hours on community-service projects, ranging from growing plants for area parks to raising fish and harvesting vegetables to give away to halfway houses and civic clubs.<br /><br />Weekly counseling sessions are provided for youths and their families. Volunteers from throughout the community spend time mentoring the boys.<br /><br />In calling the proposed funding cut "short-sighted," State Attorney Jerry Hill of Bartow said, "There's a direct link between public safety both today and tomorrow when it comes to the STAR program."<br /><br />Lawmakers created the STAR program in June 2006 following the death of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson at a Panama City boot camp. Several Florida sheriffs closed their boot camps instead of converting to STAR -- an acronym for Sheriff's Training and Respect.<br /><br />Crist spokesman Anthony De Luise said the governor recommended eliminating STAR funding because the program is underused.<br /><br />While the STAR program, housed in a building owned by Polk County, has 100 beds, only about 40 are filled.<br /><br />Richard Davison, deputy secretary for the juvenile-justice department, said his agency is sending every youth who is eligible to the program. Davison said the legislation that created STAR also restricts who qualifies.<br /><br />Amy L. Edwards can be reached at aledwards@orlandosentinel.com or 407-931-5946.Isabelle Zehnderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05064388380870609233noreply@blogger.com