I am proud to present the work of Marc Homer from Wyoming Kids Count.  He and his very creative team have released a video trailer and are soon to release a documentary (spring 2010) on juvenile justice policy and juvenile reform. 

Although this video describes the condition of juvenile delinquency policy in Wyoming, it mirrors the same hurdles for juvenile reform that we all face across this nation.  We have inconsistencies in policy across our states, antiquated policies and systems and virtually no available statistics to track our successes or failures.

If we are to address the enormous prison population in this country, we must first address the opportunities we have for diversion.  This starts with our youth and those who are forced into a system that causes them hardship throughout the rest of their lives.  If we are going to have a future with future leaders we need to be more cognisant of our young people and come along side them when they fail, give them better tools for success and stand by them as they try their wings. 

I like the way Sen. Alan Simpson put it, “We need to get down in the muck”.  I also like the sentiment that another man expressed.  We need to look at all of these kids as if they were our own. 

Please go to [1] www.wykidscount.org and take their brief survey after you have watched the video.  Enjoy!

[2] Juvenile Justice in Wyoming from [3] Marc Homer on [4] Vimeo.