NCNN Examines “Second Chances”

As the 2009 session of the General Assembly gets underway, legislators will debate how to repair a broken probation system that reportedly has lost track of thousands of convicted criminals.

At the same time there is increasing pressure from child advocates to change a state law that treats North Carolina’s youth (as young as 16) as adults for any crime they commit. They point to new research that finds North Carolina youth who serve adult time are more than twice as likely to be reconvicted of crimes as youth who receive juvenile services.

In “Second Chances” the North Carolina News Network examines efforts to help juvenile offenders turn their lives around.

The five part series follows two families who say the “get tough” approach advocated by many politicians often has limited success. They point to two programs that have helped youthful offenders complete their education, find a career, and avoid a cycle of recidivism.

WRAL-FM, WCMC-FM, and affiliates of the North Carolina News Network will air the five part series the weekend of January 3rd and 4th. The series will also be available online starting January 5th. Visit: http://www.ncnn.com/content/view/86/99/.