New Building, Same Results?

Not everyone is in favor of a new Swanson Youth Center being built in Monroe. There are those who say that a new center is welcome and that it would do a lot of good for troubled young people. Then, there are those who say keep things the way they are because discipline is needed in programs like Swanson. And to others, Swanson has in some sense, been a failure. However, there are those who believe that in the present climate, something good can still come out of Swanson. They will say that a new building is not the answer. Those who say that there must be a new approach in how the state of Louisiana handles troubled youth and look for other alternatives to help our young people before it is too late. They are not convinced that a new building constructed for esthetics purpose may be good for the eye, but more innovative treatment is the best option. A new building has been in the works for some time by state officials at the Office of Juvenile Services, which may give some of Swanson’s population a sense that the state cares about them, others are concerned over what kind of treatment will be offered that is better than what has been done in the past. Construction is expected to begin soon, as the new building will have 6 dormitories capable of housing 72 persons and will also have a school, infirmary and indoor and outdoor recreation.

Swanson, we have been told, has had limited success with its young population, with the majority coming from environments that has caused them to enter into a life of criminal activity. That, says the opponents of a new building, is one of the reasons why some who are released, eventually find themselves right back in juvenile facilities such as Swanson. Is the root cause of why many of our troubled young people end up in Swanson because juvenile officials don’t really spend the time to “understand” them and look for solutions? Or do some think that the best resolution is to build more facilities, hiring guards to look over troubled young people, which in of itself, may contribute to the problems facedby facility directors?

Advocates for change say that young people in places like Swanson need more than being inside of a locked facility where they often have to be concerned about physical harm to themselves. Perhaps, that is why Swanson has seen a rash of escapes in the past, because of the threat of physical harm. There have been riots at youth correctional centers in Louisiana, as well as escapes, but the public has not been told what remedies state juvenile officials have done to address the problems. Yes, discipline is needed in facilities like Swanson, but we have to constantly be aware, that we are dealing with troubled young people who may not have the family structure that many of us had. That is no excuse to let any of them off the hook. However, it points to the fact that more work needs to be done; that better ways should be tried. We can hope/believe that Louisiana is looking at other programs being used, the level of success at other facilities and apply those techniques. Because it will take more than a new building to reach our troubled young people. We still have a ways to go.