"Costello Prep is operated as a partnership between the Juvenile Justice Commission and Project U.S.E., a private, nonprofit education organization."
"Costello Prep offers an understanding environment balanced with a structured treatment program for a maximum of fifty adjudicated young men between the ages of sixteen and nineteen, providing for the academic, social, and therapeutic needs of its residents. Participants are engaged in high school and college level academic pursuits, job skill training, and individual and group counseling. The residents of Costello Prep are also active members of the community and regularly participate in service projects in the local area and throughout New Jersey.
Young men in the program also have the opportunity to participate in adventure-based programming and character development including onsite ropes courses and offsite wilderness activities. These experiences focus on leadership, community building, communication, and other critical life skills that compliment other aspects of their rehabilitation.
Costello Prep prepares residents to return to their communities as positive, contributing members. While at the program, the Juvenile Justice Commission's Office of Juvenile Parole and Transition Services coordinates the needs of these youth to ensure that upon release they return to school, locate employment and/or receive other necessary services."
http://www.nj.gov/lps/jjc/group_centers.htm
Sounds like an ambitious and hopeful program. Can you imagine the heart-break represented by those 27 kids?
Glo