From the Globe Political Desk

Oakland Assemblyman Sandré Swanson’s first major bill, The Youth Probation and Success Act, was passed by the Assembly Education Committee with unanimous, bipartisan support.

AB 407 aims to curb the high rate of return among youth in juvenile detention centers by instituting pre-release training and education programs.

“I am very pleased that every member of the committee voted for this bill. AB 407 will be a critical
step in the state’s strategy to address the overcrowded prison population. The crisis is so dire that last December, a federal judge ordered the state to fix the problem within six months or cede total control to the federal government.”

AB 407 will launch a threeyear pilot program to demonstrate that investing in high-risk, detained
youth with vocational training, education and transition services causes a reduction in the number
of returning offenders. This legislation authorizes $4.5 million to serve 400 youth at selected sites.
Grant funds will be augmented by participation with business and private sector partners.

“We face a crisis in our state prisons because of an unacceptable rate of recidivism,” said Swanson. “An alarming 70 percent of people who are entering the state’s penal system are recurring visitors. By that statistic, juvenile offenders are almost assured eventual graduation into prison. By providing our troubled youth with viable alternatives to committing crimes, we can stop not only the revolving door but this unintended feeder system as well.”

The program will be administered by the Alameda and Los Angeles county offices of education in selected county-operated probation camps.

Toni Adams, director of the Alameda County Office of Education’s Student Programs and Services Department, relied on her personal experience when testifying: “Without a careertechnical education program, the chances for successful reintegration are very slim. Providing an opportunity to use their abilities without regard to education level is critical.”

“In LA County right now, 46 percent of all students in camp programs are in special education, and less than one-third will be able to pass the high school exit exam,” said Madeline Hall, director of the Los Angeles County Education Foundation. “This pilot provides viable alternatives to help these youth succeed in work and life and prevent them from returning to detention.”

“If we continue to ignore our troubled youth and fail to provide them with practical alternatives to criminal acts and behaviors, they will eventually cost the state more dollars by continuing to be recycled through the criminal justice system,” said Swanson.“Aside from being the right thing for our children and young adults, it makes economic sense to invest in incarcerated youth.”

Many community advocates appeared at the hearing in support of the bill, including representatives from the Los Angeles and Alameda county offices of education. Twoyouths who had benefited from programs similar to those AB 407 would institute offered compelling testimony to the committee members.