Many young people are disconnected from school and work, a situation that some say can lead to a life of crime and prison. In Virginia Beach, for example, 20 percent of blacks age 16 to 24 are not in school and have no job. Now one Virginia congressman has a very expensive solution.
Five billion dollars. That’s what Democratic Congressman Bobby Scott wants to spend on a new grant program that will help keep at-risk youth off the street with after-school programs and summer jobs.
“Many of them are on a trajectory that includes prison, and it’s a lot more cost effective to invest in jobs rather than wait for them to mess up, get caught and see how often they return to prison."
Some of the bill’s supporters acknowledge a problem, though, which is a lack of data showing these kinds of programs work, although there is some anecdotal evidence. Virginia Beach youth gang violence prevention coordinator MaRhonda Echols says she’s seen some success in her city this year.
“Our data says we have a 17 percent reduction in juvenile arrests over the course of the summer because they were employed because they were given the opportunity. So I think if you invest the money, the data will show it’s worth the investment."
The grants would help fund after-school programs and summer jobs for juveniles across the country … IF Congress can find the money for it. Congressman Scott says it’s a cheaper solution than the tough on crime approach, which has created the highest incarceration rate in the world.
