A8 TUESDAY, JUNE 13,2006 3RD THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR } WWW.INDYSTAR.COM OPINION& COMMENTARY

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JUVENILE INJUSTICE: CRISIS AT THE MARION COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER AN INDIANAPOLIS STAR EDITORIAL SERIES KATHLEEN PARKER Jumping with the sharks

he poor shark can get no rest these days. Everyone is jumping T him. For those whose shark meta- phors stalled on “Jaws,” “jump- ing the shark” refers to the mo- ment when something, usually a dramatic production, runs — or strays from — its course. Coined by Jon Hein (jumpthe- shark.com), the phrase evolved from an episode of “Happy Days” where the show’s writers, apparently out of ideas, had Fonzie literally jump a shark while water skiing. People are KELLY WILKINSON / The Star said to jump the shark when, WAITING FOR WEARERS: Shoes have sizes written on the toes to match with inmates at the Juvenile Detention Center. Most in- desperate for ratings or atten- mates aren’t hardened criminals; many need mental health services. One 10-year-old lingered because his parents never picked him up. tion, they make over-the-top statements. Of late, we seem to have ar- mies of shark-jumpers, from James Dobson to Sen. Ted Ken- nedy to Ann Coulter to my hands-down fave, Sen. James In- hofe — all of whom have taken Who’s watching? their own mantras a trope too far. Through them, hyperbole and hysteria have formed an un- civil union, casting national de- bate into a miasma of self-mock- Lack of oversight created conditions for chaotic system ery. Let me put it this way: Dob- state inspector, in letters obtained son and Inhofe, who seem to by The Star’s Editorial Board, found think that the devil made gay in November 2004 that the Marion 7 SOLUTIONS TO REFORM JUVENILE JUSTICE people, make me want to marry County Juvenile Detention Center alesbian transsexual; Coulter, was routinely exceeding capacity Add judges: Marion County Superior Court de- who has attacked a group of 9/11 arion County officials are attempting A cided last month to continue placing juvenile widows to make a political for inmates. Employees also were to reform operations at the troubled not receiving required training. court under the control of one judge. The strain point, makes me want to wash juvenile detention center. But much Yet, despite those warning signs, Indiana’s De- of growing caseloads makes that system no Cindy Sheehan’s feet and hug a M work remains. Here are suggestions partment of Correction classified the detention longer workable. It’s time to spread out the war protester; while Kennedy, for improving the center and the juvenile court: center as fully compliant. The center was even workload and expand the number of people mak- who has been baying “bigot” praised for having “maintained a high level of Keep children out of court ing decisions by adding more judges. about anyone objecting to same- compliance.’’ Limit the waiver of counsel: Legislators this sex marriage on even rational For children locked up in the center, reality Reduce the overuse of harsh discipline by year failed to pass the mandatory lawyer conso- grounds, makes one yearn for was far worse. And far more dangerous. schools: Indianapolis Public Schools has ended its lation proposal in Senate Bill 357. They should the comforting sound of a car Three months after the state’s inspection, pre- decades-old policy of sending students to juvenile approve a new version of the legislation next alarm. siding Superior Court Judge Cale Bradford im- detention for fighting. Other districts in Marion year. Commenting on the proposed posed a cap on the number of inmates because of County also need to find less-punitive alterna- constitutional amendment to de- chronic overcrowding. tives in dealing with minor offenses. Improve juvenile detention clare marriage a union only be- This past April, the Marion County Prosecu- Expand community mental health care: Fami- Adopt the Missouri model: Since that state re- tween a man and a woman, tor’s Office accused nine county employees of sex- lies turn to the juvenile justice system in desper- placed its large reformatories with small, commu- Dobson said during a recent ually molesting teenage inmates over a period of ation to find help for their children. Providing nity-based therapeutic treatment centers and chapel service (later broadcast at least six years. The center’s director, since sus- better access to mental health services outside group homes in the 1970s, only 8 percent of con- on radio) that “marriage is un- pended from his job, is accused of covering up the the courts would reduce the number of children victed juveniles return to the system within der vicious attack . .. from the crimes. in the system and improve their care. three years. At $55 per day per juvenile, the forces of hell itself.” And last month the National Partnership for model also is more cost-effective than the status Meanwhile, if Satan’s crib is Juvenile Services described the center as “dirty,” Strive for fairness quo. what stimulates the Republican “chaotic” and filled with “suicide risks.” The Part- Make juvenile court records available to the Add teeth to the state’s oversight of county- base, Democrats may enjoy an nership also declared the center unsafe for in- public: Sunshine is the best way to bring checks run detention centers: State inspectors should embarrassment of riches come mates and staff. County employees, because of in- and balances to the juvenile justice system. Rec- have the authority to shut down juvenile jails November as rational conserva- adequate staffing and training, weren’t regularly ords of juvenile cases, sans the names of the that are unsafe, filthy and overcrowded. tives seek saner company. checking rooms, including those holding inmates children involved, should be a part of the public Giving you-know-who his on suicide watch. Only 18 percent of inmates sur- record. due, perhaps Dobson was just veyed by the Partnership thought they would be joshin’. And perhaps Inhofe, R- protected from an attack. Okla., was just braggin’ during How could inspectors have missed such cent weeks. The interim director, Chief Probation Kayla, whose accusations spurred the Marion the marriage amendment debate wretched conditions? State oversight of county- Officer Robert Bingham, has been allowed to hire County Prosecutor Office’s investigation into the when he displayed a poster- sized photo of his extended run juvenile detention centers is lax at best. Even additional staff. Employees now undergo extensive detention center, was allegedly molested during family and said: if inspectors discover extensive violations at one criminal background checks. both of her lengthy stays there. Another victim, “As you see here, and I think of Indiana’s 24 juvenile jails, they don’t have the Yet serious challenges remain, both at the center V.P., allegedly began sexual relations with youth this is maybe the most impor- authority to shut it down; only a Circuit Court and in juvenile court. manager Donnorris Harvey during one of several tant prop we’ll have during the judge can do so after being petitioned by inspec- Part of the problem is that a single judge is re- extensive stints at the center in 2004 and 2005. entire debate, my wife and I tors. Overcrowding, a problem that persists in sponsible for both operations. That system, en- It’s important to remember that most children have been married 47 years. We Marion County despite Judge Bradford’s order, shrined in state law, was set up two decades ago af- at the center are not hardened criminals. The lack have 20 kids and grandkids. I’m doesn’t violate any of the state’s mandatory stand- ter a grand jury found deteriorating conditions at of community-based mental health care makes ju- really proud to say that in the ards. Marion County’s old detention center. venile jails the treatment centers of last resort, ac- recorded history of our family, The quality of detention centers varies widely But the specialized nature of running a juvenile cording to Douglas Abrams, a law professor at the we’ve never had a divorce or across the state. Training and education programs jail is overwhelming for a judge who also must University of Missouri. any kind of homosexual rela- that are offered in some counties are inadequate manage growing court dockets and oversight of the Sometimes children remain in detention be- tionship.” and nonexistent in others. Screening for mental county’s $90 million child welfare budget. cause they have nowhere else to go. Bingham, the Quite likely, the operative illnesses and drug addiction is frequently inade- The court’s own policies regarding detention of center’s interim director, notes that one 10-year- words here are “recorded his- quate — despite the Indiana Juvenile Justice Task juveniles exacerbate the problems. The state Court old child stayed at the center because his parents tory.” I’m pretty sure our family Force’s finding that 50 percent of inmates struggle of Appeals two years ago criticized the practice of never picked him up. Bible doesn’t reflect the sexual with mental illnesses or addictions. detaining children for low-level offenses such as The cost to society of a dysfunctional system can orientation of our gay cousins, As the Task Force’s executive director, Bill truancy. In a case reviewed by the appeals court, a endure for decades as juveniles sink deeper into either. Glick, points out, “How you’re treated as a de- child named William spent three months in deten- addictions, mental illness and crime. “Sometimes Coulter may have jumped the tained juvenile in Indiana depends on where you tion for violating his truancy probation. these kids are released from juvenile detention in shark with her unfortunate ti- live.” Conditions at the center, combined with the worse condition than they came in,” Abrams says. rade against the 9/11 widows in In Marion County, Superior Court judges have amount of time inmates serve, make sexual exploi- Asystem that makes children worse? It’s one her new book, “Godless.” Which begun overhauling the center’s operation in re- tation all the more likely. Marion County can no longer tolerate. is too bad because Coulter had a point that got lost amid the in- evitable outrage. WHY YOU SHOULD CARE VOICES The opposition will always ABOUT THE SERIES look like insensitive bullies, as Indiana spends as much as “Defense lawyers were viewed as second- does Coulter, who undermined $300 per juvenile per day — class citizens ... So many of my colleagues Sunday: Children are flooding into a Marion her own message more than her more than the cost of a had refused to go.” County juvenile justice system where rules of due critics could. Calling the widows night’s stay at the new Con- Attorney Robert Hammerle on why pri- process are often ignored and the detention center “witches” and saying they were rad Hotel — for confinement vate defense attorneys don’t practice in ju- has been declared unsafe. enjoying their husbands’ deaths in juvenile detention centers, venile court. Monday: Appellate court rulings reveal a troubling was chum to the other side. prisons and specialized care ONLINE AUDIO pattern of magistrates in Marion County’s juvenile Rabble-rousing, fear-monger- units. A home-based model court not following the intent of the law. ing and race-baiting may keep would cost the state only $55 To listen to comments from Cale Bradford, presid- Today: Despite serious problems, including alleged local constituents happy, but per day, a little less than a ing judge of the Marion County Superior Court, go to sexual abuse, at the Marion County Juvenile Deten- none of it gets us where we night’s stay at a Days Inn near www.indystar.com/opinion. tion Center, state inspectors continued to grade it need to go — toward sane rem- the airport. as fully compliant with standards. edies for a united nation. And, yes, happier days. ✭ Parker is a syndicated columnist for the Orlando Sentinel. Contact her at [email protected].