wfn.org | Board Issues Juvenile Crime Bill Alert

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (316
notes).

Note 314 by UMNS on Sept. 12, 1997 at 16:20 Eastern (5410 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                          502(10-71B){314}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470           Sept. 12, 1997

Board of Church and Society asks members
to contact legislators about juvenile crime bill

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has issued
an "Urgent Action Alert" regarding "Juvenile Crime Bill S. 10."
     According to the alert, the bill -- expected to reach the
Senate floor around Oct. 1 -- would, if passed, transfer youth at
age 13 to adult courts, imprison youth with adults, expand the
records of juvenile offenders and extend federal jurisdiction for
prosecuting juvenile offenders.  These steps "put more children at
risk for physical and sexual abuse in jails and prisons," the
alert said.
     In addition, the proposed law fails to provide any funding
for additional youth crime prevention programs that have been
proved to work in at risk communities.
     The bill would provide $2.5 billion in incentive grants to
states that try youth as adults and maintain and share juvenile
crime records.  Of those funds, 60 percent is designated for
building juvenile detention centers, drug testing and fulfilling
the bill's other mandates.
     The proposed law does not provide any "formidable gun
trafficking or gun control measures," said the alert.
     The United Methodist Book of Resolutions states: As "United
Methodists we ask the following questions of any pending
legislation ... Will this program develop in children a sense of
responsibility for themselves and their communities? Will this
program or policy provide young people with opportunities for a
meaningful future?"
     The alert document responds "When considering the bill S.10,
the answers to these questions are a resounding 'no.'"  It said
board officials will continue to support correction for juvenile
offenders "outside the traditional courts and correctional
system."
     At the recent meeting of the Shared Mission Focus Team on
Young People, the 19-member group requested its leadership to
write the U.S. House of Representatives protesting "the recently-
approved Violent Juvenile Offenders Act of 1997."  Formation of
the team was authorized by the 1996 United Methodist General
Conference to help the church give increased priority to the needs
of people aged 12 through 30.
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT:  Ralph E. Baker                          502(10-71B){314}
          Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470           Sept. 12, 1997

Board of Church and Society asks members
to contact legislators about juvenile crime bill

                 by United Methodist News Service

     The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has issued
an "Urgent Action Alert" regarding "Juvenile Crime Bill S. 10."
     According to the alert, the bill -- expected to reach the
Senate floor around Oct. 1 -- would, if passed, transfer youth at
age 13 to adult courts, imprison youth with adults, expand the
records of juvenile offenders and extend federal jurisdiction for
prosecuting juvenile offenders.  These steps "put more children at
risk for physical and sexual abuse in jails and prisons," the
alert said.
     In addition, the proposed law fails to provide any funding
for additional youth crime prevention programs that have been
proved to work in at risk communities.
     The bill would provide $2.5 billion in incentive grants to
states that try youth as adults and maintain and share juvenile
crime records.  Of those funds, 60 percent is designated for
building juvenile detention centers, drug testing and fulfilling
the bill's other mandates.
     The proposed law does not provide any "formidable gun
trafficking or gun control measures," said the alert.
     The United Methodist Book of Resolutions states: As "United
Methodists we ask the following questions of any pending
legislation ... Will this program develop in children a sense of
responsibility for themselves and their communities? Will this
program or policy provide young people with opportunities for a
meaningful future?"
     The alert document responds "When considering the bill S.10,
the answers to these questions are a resounding 'no.'"  It said
board officials will continue to support correction for juvenile
offenders "outside the traditional courts and correctional
system."
     At the recent meeting of the Shared Mission Focus Team on
Young People, the 19-member group requested its leadership to
write the U.S. House of Representatives protesting "the recently-
approved Violent Juvenile Offenders Act of 1997."  Formation of
the team was authorized by the 1996 United Methodist General
Conference to help the church give increased priority to the needs
of people aged 12 through 30.
     The social action agency's alert urges United Methodists,
especially those in Idaho, Kansas, New Mexico, Tennessee and
Virginia, to contact their senators and urge them to oppose the
proposed Senate Bill 10.
                              #  #  #

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