At the monthly meeting of the Oklahoma Board of Juvenile Affairs Friday, Director Christian discussed closing the L.E. Rader Center to help the agency meet the FY 2012 budget cuts.
The L.E. Rader Center has traditionally been the most secure state facility for more violent juvenile offenders.
“For several years, OJA leadership has discussed the need for more secure beds,” said OPEA Policy and Research Director Trish Frazier. “Closing Rader will put juvenile offenders that require a higher security level in less secure facilities. In addition, the system will lose beds needed for detention and rehabilitation of our troubled youth.”
“The Rader Center has a special behavioral unit and other security enhancements for our most challenging and violent youth,” continued Frazier. “Certainly, Oklahoma citizens do not wish to sacrifice the core function of public safety to budget cuts.”
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Posted on
Mon, February 28, 2011
by Nancy Hughes