Reported by: Tom McKee
Earlier this week, 9News told you about Paint Creek, a cost-effective juvenile detention program that works, and works well.
The big question is why its graduates don't reoffend nearly as often as those in traditional programs.
In a nutshell, it's because the program is small, intense and very personal.
And we're talking about serious offenders – teens accused of crimes like rape or robbery.
Lighthouse Youth Center at Paint Creek is in Ross County, Ohio.
The recidivism rate is five-percent after one year, compared to an Ohio average of 33%.
That success has meant the model has been copied across the country.
Daily life at Paint Creek is predictable, structured, supervised, safe and secure.
"The overall philosophy of the program is one where every young man is held strictly accountable, not only for himself, but for his peers," said Bob Mecum, president of Lighthouse Youth Services.
This isn't a prison, nor is it a country club.
There are no bars or fences, but few have tried to leave, according to Paint Creek program director Renee Hagen.
"I think they get to the point where I believe they think this is the best place for them here," said Hagen.
That's what the boys or peers say.
"Jack," from Westwood, is at Paint Creek for raping two younger children.
"It helps you learn more about yourself than you ever knew," said Jack.
"I say, like the worst part was when I knew I had victims," said Jack. "Before that, I didn't want to tell anyone about – putting that stuff our there – knowing that they want you to put it out there."
"Andrew" was sent to Paint Creek for gross sexual imposition on his half-sister.
"The best part is the positive peer culture component," said Andrew.
"The worst part is accepting responsibility for your actions," said Andrew. "Learning not to use tactics, be manipulative, and try to con others."
A key to Paint Creek's success is forcing the peers to remember they victimized someone else in committing their crime.
"Teaching them the skills that they need to do things differently," said Hagen, "then reinforcing it in a positive way and challenging them when they don't."
Daily counseling sessions require peers to be open and honest with one another.
On this day, a peer at Paint Creek, there on a drug charge, bared his soul.
"I see myself wanting to resort to using drugs when I get back out of here," he said.
"If you revert back to using drugs and having drug fantasies to cope, how is that going to help you," he continued.
"For the most part, it's just going to put me back into the anger and victim-stance mode," said the teen.
Each day consists of traditional classroom work in English, math, science and social studies.
"It's an incredible model," said Gabriella Celeste, of Voices for Ohio's Children. "I'm not sure why it isn't used across the state."
Paint Creek regularly welcomes visitors who study the program for use in other cities or states.
Celeste says her day-long visit there made a lasting impression.
"The quality of the staff. The commitment. The training. They believe in their work," said Celeste. "They believe in these youth. They believe in their potential for change."
Staff members say they never give up on any peer.
"I believe they have been taught the skills necessary not to reoffend," said Hagen.
"I believe that they've gained remorse for their actions, so that they don't want to reoffend and hurt other people," Hagen said.
It costs $160 per peer, per day, at Paint Creek – two/thirds of which is reimbursed to the State of Ohio by the federal government.
Lighthouse Youth Services president Bob Mecum says the small, personal setting is worth every penny.
"The whole package is difficult to do," said Mecum. "It requires a certain amount of political will."
"It requires a certain amount of risk-taking on the part of the organization who does it and a certain amount of good luck," said Mecum, "and I think all three have existed with us."
Over 1,300 men have gone through Paint Creek in 21-years.
Only three have escaped, or tried to escape.
If they do, the alternative can be a more traditional prison setting.
