Positivity through poetry for youth in Utah’s juvenile justice system
Sep 19, 2024, 6:00 AM
A poetry program for youth in custody is providing a way for many young people to express themselves and "feel heard." (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
FARMINGTON, Utah — Positivity in poetry. It’s one of the ideas behind a poetry program for youth in custody in Utah’s juvenile justice system. Youth learn to express themselves and pick up other life skills along the way.
Talking with youth in long-term custody at the Farmington Bay Youth Center, you’d be surprised what writing poetry could do. It may not be the first thing you think of for their rehabilitation, but it’s become an integral part.
Words of poetry, written by youth in custody in Utah’s juvenile justice system:
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“I’m the broken pieces on the floor, Some people just ignore…”
Not just words of expression, but an outlet for stress some carry from their crimes and incarceration.
“So just getting that off of my chest and have people hear it, it just took some weight off chest you know, off my shoulders,” one youth said.
Locked up since he was 16, one youth now in custody at Farmington said it allows him to feel heard.
“So, in one way it helped you gain closure for the things you’ve been carrying with you?” Brian Carlson, KSL TV reporter, asked.
“Yeah,” he said.
