John Lum

Re “Probation Chief’s Views Clash With Trend Toward Tough Juvenile Justice,” Nov. 20: San Luis Obispo County’s chief probation officer John Lum has taken the high road--the less-expedient approach to dealing with youthful offenders. It is so much easier to just lock ‘em up and throw away the key. The Times ran articles Nov. 17 and 19 headlining sweeping reforms that will affect the way the Department of Corrections handles youth, due to corruption uncovered by the office of the inspector general. Lum’s reluctance to commit an individual to this system for fear of abuse is well founded.

This is a man of courage who has publicly expressed his ideas. He has made no secret of his attempt to rehabilitate rather than throw away kids. The real cowards are the ones attacking him anonymously.

BONNIE WEYRICH

Pismo Beach

*

As a California native, born in Los Angeles, I feel a responsibility to my homeland. I have to agree with Lum’s approach toward youthful offenders. I am a retired California schoolteacher who recognized the makings of budding serious offenders and had the opportunity of reaching them and turning them around before they got to prison. In later years, two of my worst offenders visited me from Princeton University and said that because of me, they were there. This is the kind of satisfaction and reward we are looking for with our troubled youth.

DIANA GRUPE

Old Greenwich, Conn.