LaPorte County is providing an example of how adjustments to the juvenile court system can make a difference.
The South Bend Tribune reports that a 50% reduction in kids locked up has fewer kids ending up in the system, and officials say that means kids in Indiana have brighter futures.
The old system saw low-risk kids being locked up with high-risk kids, which made them more likely to become repeat criminals.
LaPorte County and 30 other counties in the state are in the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. Instead of locking kids up, the court system looks for alternative programs for rehabilitation.
LaPorte County has had the most success and received a $10,000 grant this month.
