Volunteer To Be 'Scared Straight'— New Approach to Averting Youth Crime

has paired up with Deputy Sheriff's Activities League to bring an insightful and eye-opening new program to the Tri-Valley.

Parents and teens can tour the inmate facility getting a close-up look at incarceration, followed by discussion groups.

"Most programs like these are called 'scared straight' programs. The youth involved are forced to go," said Roy Terry, the program's chaperone who will be experiencing the tour for the first time along with the participants.

Terry, who has family members in and out of a criminal lifestyle, is a strong advocate for the Santa Rita Jail Youth Educational Program (S.R.J.Y.E.P) and what it offers.

Contrary to the popular show "Beyond Scared Straight," which uses aggressive methods to scare youth to stay out of trouble on a mandatory basis, this new program at Santa Rita Jail is meant to educate through a volunteer model.

The program hopes to deter youth from a criminal lifestyle, and inspire them to be productive citizens of the community.

"We're giving youth the opportunity to see what it's like inside the jail and if they come on their own free will, that's great," Terry added, "and they will have more options." 

S.R.J.Y.E.P is scheduled for its first tour and workshop July 21, from 10-2pm at . The jail is located at 5325 Broder Boulevard in Dublin.

For more information about the S.R.J.E.P or to sign up, call Roy Terry at (510) 731-9282