by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
The City Council’s Finance Committee Monday morning recommended legislation that would fund a special Teen Court extension program, but only after exhausting a steady line of questioning and a litany of concerns.
The program, Camp X-RAYD — an acronym for Examining Reality About Your Decisions — focuses on keeping at-risk juveniles out of the criminal justice system. It has been in existence in Duval County for just over a year.
Focusing on a 12-hour Tour of Reality, those enrolled in the program are bused to the Duval County Jail while wearing inmate attire and later visit a hospital emergency room where they observe medical trauma and death.
During the meeting, Teen Court coordinator Kimberly Walsh and representatives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office made a brief presentation. When finished, few argued the merits of the program.
However, Kevin Hyde, Michael Corrigan and Daniel Davis wanted to be assured its approximate $100,000 annual operating budget wouldn’t siphon dollars from similar State programs.
Specifically, Davis wanted to know if Chief Judge Donald Moran and State Attorney Harry Shorstein supported Camp X-RAYD.
The JSO’s Robert Deal said he met Shorstein last week, but the State Attorney, “obviously wants to be sure his programs are funded.”
Shorstein and Moran did not attend the meeting.
Walsh later said the programs had similarities, but the approach was different.
“Camp X-RAYD is a very unique program in that it targets these kids before they have an arrest record,” she said. “Then we can help them stay out of the system.
“We want these kids to understand the consequences of their decisions. If they do, they’ll be more likely to get on the right path through some serious self-examination and form some strong bonds in the process.”
Council president Elaine Brown, who sponsored the legislation, agreed.
Referring to programs, including Drug Court which function in a reactionary manner, she said, “one shoe doesn’t fit all.”
“The best part of what Camp X-RAYD does is put these at-risk kids in very realistic situations,” said Brown. “They will actually know what it feels like to be incarcerated and be around convicted inmates who never got on the right path. I believe this to be another step in getting those kids out of the system before it’s too late.”
Chair Reggie Fullwood then called for a vote. Except for Davis, the committee voted in support of the program.
The full Council is expected to vote next Tuesday. If approved, 180 youths will be able to enroll in the program.