Young writers in L.A. County’s juvenile halls
Scott Budnick, left, producer of the “Hangover” movies, chats with youths at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar. Budnick, who is passionate about social justice issues, became involved with InsideOut Writers, a volunteer creative-writing program in the county’s juvenile halls. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Working under the direction of Hollywood producer Scott Budnick, youths at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall plant a container garden. Budnick is part father figure, part smart-aleck older brother. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Scott Budnick, left, speaks with lead probation officer Ronald Rodriguez at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. “Interacting with the kids themselves, it’s what gives me life,” Budnick said. “It’s what inspires me.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
A Nidorf inmate fills a vegetable planter. “The analogy of what they do to the land here is what they do to the kids -- they just wither up and die because there’s no love,” Budnick said. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Scott Budnick strolls the grounds of the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall. “I thought he was going to be some big-shot showoff moviemaker,” said one youth. “But I met him and he humbled me. He’s a very humble person.” (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
Scott Budnick, center, greets youths at the juvenile hall. At the end of last year, he left his longtime production company to form a new entertainment business that will focus on social justice. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
