NCJ Number
136391
Date Published
1991
Length
205 pages
Annotation
This book, part of the Scared Straight Project, talks about the hopes, dreams, despair, and consequences of bad choices experienced by individuals sentenced to life imprisonment and their efforts to help young people.
Abstract
Of 1 million men and women in prison throughout the United States, 600,000 are in State institutions, 100,000 are in Federal penitentiaries, and 350,000 are in local jails. More than 100,000 juveniles are in custody; 52 percent are white, 34 percent are black, and 12 percent are Hispanic. In 1975, four lifers who were part of an organization known as the Lifers' Group at East Jersey State Prison received permission to start a program to help keep troubled teenagers out of jail. As part of the Juvenile Awareness Program, the lifers have spoken to 35,000 young people directly and reached millions more through film and other communication channels. The lifers speak in very frank terms about prison conditions and the importance of responsible choices. Many teenagers exposed to the program have become successful. Program critics, however, say that young people should not be exposed to offenders who have committed violent crimes. For the lifers, the program represents a high point in their prison existence. References and photographs