Bill to keep teen offenders out of prison moves through Senate committee

A proposal to encourage states to keep juvenile offenders separate from adult prisoners is waiting for the U.S. Senate when members return from their summer recess.

The bill, which also includes provisions increasing federal funding for prevention, intervention and treatment programs to reduce juvenile crime, was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. It has drawn support from juvenile justice advocates, including Tracy McClard of Jackson, who's son Jonathan McClard committed suicide in a Missouri prison after receiving a 30 year sentence for shooting shooting another teenager, Jeremy Voshage, three times July 10, 2007, at a Jackson car wash.

McClard was 16 at the time of the shooting and when he was sentenced as an adult. Tracy McClard has joined the Campaign for Youth Justice, an advocacy group for young offenders that supports rehabilitation efforts in youth-only settings over incarceration with adults. She could not be reached immediately on Friday for comment.

"This legislation seeks to move our country in new directions to protect our communities and give our children the chance they need to grow up to be productive members of society," Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said in a news release. Leahy is chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a co-sponsor of the bill along with Sens. Arlen Specter, R-Pa,, and Herb Kohl, D-Wis.

The Senate is expected to reconvene on Sept. 8.

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