Published: July 11, 2008 08:16 pm         

Juvenile facility receives $2,500 donation

Money going to program to help offenders choose alternatives to crime.

BUNKER HILL — The Miami Correctional Facility’s PLUS Unit recently donated $2,500 to the Logansport Juvenile Correctional Facility to assist them in opening up its own unit.

PLUS stands for Purposeful Living Unit Serves. The program provides an opportunity for offenders to explore and choose alternatives to criminal thinking and behavior through an emphasis on spiritual, moral and character development, life-skills training and intentional preparation for living as law-abiding residents who contribute to the well-being of their community.

The units are self-sustaining. Each one that opens at facilities throughout the state must raise its own funds to operate. The Logansport facility has been tasked with opening its unit by July 21.

“The donation made by the Miami Correctional Facility PLUS unit has been a tremendous boost to the initiation of the PLUS unit at the Logansport Juvenile Correctional Facility,” said Logansport Juvenile Correctional Facility Program Director Mark Harmon in a press release. “The money that was donated will go towards purchasing supplies and materials needed for the development and presentation of curriculum used to build the faith and character tracts of the unit.”

The PLUS program takes about 16 months for adult offenders to complete while juvenile offenders take just weeks, as requirements differ.

Program components include developing a purposeful life plan, employment skills and vocations, addiction treatment, responsibility to right the wrong, basic life skills and more.

The $2,500 donation comes as a part of each participant’s program requirement to donate 300 hours of community service. Recently the PLUS Unit held a Pizza Hut pizza sale and pop sale with Pepsi of Logansport for offenders.