Behavior Management

Sorenson's Ranch School recently hosted a Life Skills Seminar presented by a 30-year veteran in law enforcement. Students were presented information regarding substance abuse and criminal consequences. They learned about jurisdictions, criminal categories and classifications, determining factors in prosecutor's selection of criminal charges and judge's imposition of sentence, and juvenile criminal history. They were also presented real life case studies and watched a video, "Kids Who Get Life."

Students learned that conditions of incarceration were not equal among the various levels from County jails to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. They were told that six months in a county jail corresponded to two years in a state prison. The effect of jurisdictional funding on availability of prison programs and quality of inmate life during incarceration was explained.

During the Criminal Categories and Classification section students learned the sentencing guidelines in relation to criminal categories. They were told how the offender's conduct, life choices, and prior criminal history impact the sentencing imposition. They learned how core crimes of theft, burglary, and DUI can escalate to aggravated assault and manslaughter.

Students learned the determining factors that lead to enhanced criminal charges and longer prison sentences, such as the offender's conduct during the commission of criminal offense and subsequent arrest; lies, evasion, and misrepresentation; non-compliance with probation and continued substance abuse.

Students under the impression that their past criminal history would not affect their future were informed otherwise. The juvenile criminal history is not "erased" when the offender becomes an adult. While the history is protected from public access, it is open to officers of the court: prosecutors, probation officers, and judges. In an offender's early adulthood a prior juvenile criminal history will be used to justify longer prison sentences.

Feedback from the students who attended the seminar was positive. Comments were that it provided good information about the justice system and consequences. One student said that when he was home he never worried about the consequences of his actions, but this seminar helped him become more aware of what would happen. Another said that it helped him know what his rights were and what the charges would be for the things he had done. All agreed that they enjoyed watching the video showing the three criminal cases of teen offenders sentenced to life prison terms. A student commented, "It was pretty useful. It made me think that I don't want to do that stuff anymore."

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Sorenson's
• Ranch
• School
• therapeutic
• boarding
• school
• teen
• drug
• rehab