A Finishing School Behind Bars

[madmusic]

The 'Mission Possible' project for girls in Orange County's Juvenile Hall seeks to improve behavior and boost self-esteem.
By Christine Hanley, Times Staff Writer
October 18, 2006

Girls in trouble with the law in Orange County are being taught how to act, dress and even salsa as part of an ambitious project to boost their self-esteem and provide them with the basic social skills and support they will need to lead productive lives.

The Orange County Probation Department, in concert with a coalition of nonprofit groups, on Tuesday announced the launch of the "Mission Possible" program, which authorities and advocates hope will stem the rising crime and recidivism rates among girls ages 12 to 18.

"It's an exploding population," said Thomas G. Wright, the chief deputy probation officer in charge of the county's juvenile facilities.

Wright estimated that there had been an average of about 200 girls in custody at any given time over the last year. And although the population dipped to an unusually low 117 this week, he added, it's still a big jump from the 20 or so girls he was handling five years ago. The majority are accused of burglary and car theft, followed by prostitution and drug offenses, he said.

more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-juvenile18oct18,1,1936295.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true