The Dorchester County Office of the First Circuit Solicitor's Office is participating in the Youth Mentoring Program. The program is designed as a diversionary program for juveniles with pending cases in Family Court.
Candidates for the Youth Mentor Program are recommended by the Family Court officials and the Program Coordinator. Time in the program - usually six months to one year - is based on several factors, including the severity of the crime, family support, academic compliance, etc. Local religious and community organizations provide volunteer mentors who monitor the fulfillment of the program requirements.
Requirements
Youths who accept the Youth Mentor Program as an alternative to trial must agree to adhere to all requirements of the program. These requirements include, but are not limited to:
1. No re-arrests or association with known criminal offenders.
2. Maintain a minimum "C" average in school, or improve one letter grade.
3. No unexcused absences, suspensions, or excessive detentions.
4. Attend weekly services at a faith center of family's choosing.
5. Restitution when appropriate.
6. Maintain curfew.
7. Community service.
Completion
Successful completion of the program requirements results in graduation, and dismissal of the related criminal charges. Sponsoring sites are encouraged to help the graduate link with other community and school support programs.
A Program That Works
Fourteen year old "Patrick1' (name changed to protect identity) was charged with several counts of shoplifting. Instead of being petitioned to court for trial, "Patrick" was given an opportunity to enroll in the Youth Mentor Program. He was experiencing serious behavioral problems in school, and was making failing grades in most of his classes. The expectation was that he would have to repeat the 8th grade, but a very dedicated mentoring group helped "Patrick" focus on his academics and recognize the negative impact of his behavior. "Patrick" was able to improve all of his grades, and by attending summer school, moved from "F's" to "B's" in pre-algebra and earth science. His academic improvement helped him to be promoted to 9th grade. His mentors also noticed a great improvement in his self esteem. "Patrick" has graduated from the Youth Mentor Program, and has been accepted into his high school ROTC program. He has also written several literary pieces. One poem titled "Winter" has been published in the American Literacy Council's poetry book Dreams of Youth.
Each year in South Carolina, several thousand young people like "Patrick" are charged with criminal offenses. While some of these are major or violent offenses, the majority of the infractions are minor.
The community's response to juvenile crime should include rehabilitative and preventative strategies aimed at reducing the incarceration and recidivism rates. This is best accomplished through community-based programs for nonviolent offenders, reserving the limited space at the juvenile facilities for the more serious offenders.
Commitment
The Youth Mentor Program was founded in 1992 in Richland County, South Carolina, as a community response to the increase in juvenile crime and incarceration. As a commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people, the Office of the Attorney General adopted the program in September 1995, with an immediate goal of statewide expansion. A voluntary program, the mentor approach links the offending juvenile to a religious or civic organization where an individual mentor will be assigned to himlher. The mentor monitors the personal and academic development of the youth for a period of six months to one year as ordered by the court. The program was unanimously passed into law in May 1996. The bipartisan support by elected officials is a testimony to their commitment to recognize and respond to the short-term and long-term impact of juvenile crime upon our communities.
Goal
The goal of the Youth Mentor Program is to reduce the juvenile incarceration and recidivism rate in South Carolina, and to provide our youth with the necessary values, motivation, and awareness of personal responsibility to guide him/her towards productive and positive citizenship.
Religious and civic organizations are needed to provide volunteer mentors and serve as sponsoring sites. To enroll your group, or for more information, please call: (803) 734-7135
Focus
The Youth Mentor Program focuses primarily on the repeat, nonviolent offender. Occasionally, the first-time offender will be accepted through the recommendation of family court officials. Voluntary assignments will be considered through parental request.
In several counties, truancy has been identified as a serious contributor to the problem of juvenile delinquency. The Youth Mentor Program works with schools and court officials to reduce the truancy rate and improve academics of students referred by truancy officers.
Services Provided
Mentoring
Tutoring
Substance Abuse Preention
Leadership Skills
Goal Setting
Career Advice
Conflict Resolution
Information Obtained from the Office of the SC Attorney General