Alex Leary

March 16, 2006

To many, it has become the sad irony amid controversy over the death of 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson:

The state's most successful boot camp - one that downplays the rough tactics that may have killed Anderson - is on the chopping block while officials scurry to save others, including Pinellas County's poorly performing one.

But Martin County's boot camp may be salvaged after all.

A top juvenile justice official, under pressure from lawmakers Wednesday, said he would work with Martin County Sheriff Bob Crowder to find adequate funding for the program.

At least some would come from the now-defunct Bay County boot camp, where Anderson was sent after taking his grandmother's car on a joy ride. The sheriff there closed the boot camp, saying it was too controversial, after Anderson died after being roughed up by guards.

Crowder welcomed the idea but said the infusion would still be inadequate and a decadelong struggle over funding could make hiring a competent staff difficult. He implored Gov. Jeb Bush to break a "dysfunctional" bureaucratic process and make funding for all juvenile justice programs a priority.

"As the governor, you don't delegate responsibility, you delegate authority," said Crowder, who like Bush is a Republican.

Chris Caballero, the Juvenile Justice Department's chief of staff, said he wanted the Bay County money to improve "mediocre" boot camps, but eventually agreed to divert the funds to Crowder.

"If he's the only one who's being truly successful, let's make sure he is successful," said Rep. Gus Barreiro, R-Miami Beach.

It was unclear Wednesday how much of the $900,000 appropriated for Bay County's program remained this year and whether it all would go toward Martin County. Department spokeswoman Cynthia Lorenzo said the numbers were still being reviewed.

Even so, Crowder said he would need a firm, long-term commitment to maintain his boot camp, which emphasizes education and mentoring more than the in-your-face tactics boot camps are typically known for.

His boot camp has one of the lowest recidivism rates of the state's 150-plus juvenile programs. By contrast, the Pinellas boot camp has one of the worst rates of repeat offenses. Last week, Pinellas Sheriff Jim Coats said a study showed nine of 10 youths sent there were re-arrested.

Sheriff Crowder said his program would need just under $3.8- million next year, but noted the state has budgeted only about $2.2- million.

Bush spokesman Russell Schweiss said the governor "recognizes the importance of these programs and the value that they add to the juvenile justice system. He has recommend $1.5-million in additional money in his supplemental budget."

That would raise per diem spending on juvenile offenders in boot camps to $95, according to Caballero. Crowder, though, said at least $115 is needed.