NATCHEZ &045; A juvenile justice reform proposal that will go before legislators this week recommends programs statewide that are already in place in Adams County.

In the midst of two lawsuits against the state juvenile justice system and worries of less than desired funding, the Mississippi Coalition for the Prevention of Schoolhouse to Jailhouse is recommending community-based programs over training schools.

Mississippi Center for Justice attorney Sheila Bedi told the Associated Press Adolescent Offender Programs, like the one in Adams County, are the best route.

AOP setups exist in 28 counties.

And though Adams County Youth Court Judge John Hudson is proud of the local AOP, he said he doesn’t want to see the state’s training schools shut down.

&uot;In my mind there will always be a need for training schools,&uot; Hudson said. &uot;There are some who won’t perform in a school setting and we have to send them somewhere where there is intense supervision.&uot;

AOP is the first step though, Hudson said.

&uot;More AOPs would reduce the number of kids going into training school,&uot; he said. &uot;It has allowed us to reduce the number we send to training school.&uot;

Smaller training school enrollment would improve the outcome the school is able to have, he said.

&uot;It’s sort of a Catch 22 (now),&uot; he said. &uot;There’s so many going to training school that they get out so quickly, that very little change is happening. We want to see a training school where they are at least a school semester.&uot;

The future of the state’s juvenile justice system is dependent upon the funding level given by the state this year, Hudson said.

&uot;It’s always been an issue with us,&uot; he said. &uot;Juvenile justice has always been something that seems to end up low on the priority list. When the state had money we were a priority, when the state didn’t have money they didn’t pay any attention to us.&uot;

Hudson and the coalition said legislators must take action now to properly fund juvenile justice before the close of the two lawsuits. If changes aren’t made the state risks court-ordered changes that will cost more money.

Adams County is in a pretty good spot though, Hudson said. He said with AOP already in place the county ranks higher than many others, but said there’s always concern.