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Logan facility tries to help sex offenders break the vicious cycle By
Rachel Marberger
Youth Track, its parent company being Rescare, is a facility where sex offenders are placed by court order. Offenses committed include minor acts of lewdness to more harsh felonies such as incest. "Usually the offenses are reported to the authorities by the parents of the offenders or by the victims themselves," said Jana Merrill, a youth counselor at Youth Track. "The kids who come here often have a lower mentality, family problems and almost always have been sexually abused themselves. It's a vicious cycle." Half of Youth Track's clients are from Idaho and others are from Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, and in the near future, Colorado. The clients often come from other facilities and some have committed other offenses including gang-related and drug crimes Youth Track's system is reward based and relies on privleges being given and taken away from clients depending on behavior. Green passes are given to those who show good behavior and can be cashed in for certain things such as movies or even their personal clothes, which were taken away upon entering the facility. The clients are given Youth Track clothing that must be worn. There are four levels that each client is required to go through as part of the therapy obtained at the facility. The first is behavioral which includes being oriented into the facility, learning the rules, and learning to be socially appropriate. The second is theraputic which is very intense therapy. The third is leadership, and the fourth is preventative each including step by step progress each client must make upon graduating. The clients stay at the facility anywhere from six months to two years. "In the last two years about six have graduated," said Merrill. "If they don't graduate it's because they never reached the point where they have wanted to be treated or they just need higher care." Others who don't graduate will go to a detention center, a mental hospital or foster care. Many offenders will not be allowed to return to their families because they have most often offended on members of them. During the week the clients have set schedule they follow every day, which starts at 5:45 a.m. Therapy is intertwined with chores as well as school. Every Thursday approved family members are allowed into the facility to participate in family group therapy. On the weekends the clients have the opportunity to participate in community service as well as community activities.
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