Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 3, 1994 TAG: 9403030146
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Short
The volunteers, many of them students in criminal justice at Radford University, will visit homes of young people who have been court-ordered by the judge to stay there.
Jennifer Duddy, volunteer coordinator for the county's family resource team, described the program as "an alternative to being locked up." Currently, the program is for Montgomery County youths, but Duddy says she hopes to see it expand.
"The purpose is mainly, besides saving tax dollars, to preserve the family's integrity and to keep the family working together," Duddy said. Also, it is likely the students in the program will be able to stay in school during their punishment period. "[Graybeal] feels pretty strongly about kids going to school," she said.
"The emphasis is keeping kids at home - we want to provide rehabilitation at home."
Volunteers will check on the juveniles three times a day, making sure they're at home or in school when they're supposed to be. Most of the calls will be made by phone, but volunteers also will make one home visit a day. The punishment period would last an average of 30 days, Duddy said.
This will mark the first time the program, known officially as the "Home Confinement Program," will be tried in the New River Valley, Duddy said.
The program is still seeking volunteers. Those interested can call 382-5745.
by CNB