Bibb County jail program shows youth possible consequences

BIBB COUNTY, Ga. - Is your child on the wrong path? Hanging out with the wrong crowd? Being disrespectful or doing drugs? If so, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office can help.

"Consider the Consequences" Program, helps kids ages 9 to 17 years old, stay in school, graduate and begin a successful career.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office program “Consider the Consequences” was brought about in efforts of steering troubled teens in the right direction.  The teens experience what it is like to be in jail. The teens put on a jump suit, are placed in a cell and meet with a judge.

Bibb County Superior Court Judge Verda Colvin brings a courtroom full of “Consider the Consequences” participants to tears and all she does is tell the truth.

While the teens met in a courtroom with Judge Colvin, she asks the teens in “What do you want to do?”  The judge goes on to tell the teens in the courtroom “You’re special. Stop being disrespectful to your parents. Care about your future.  Be somebody. Anybody can be nothing.  Be something. Care about yourselves. Do it. The only person stopping you is you. Do you understand me?” 

Parents are asked why they brought their child to the jail and will be offered classes on discipline while the teens are away. Once the program is over, each teen will have to write an essay and apology letter on what they've learned and why they will not cause any more problems for their families.

The program is designed to help encourage positive behavior, provide tools to achieve goals and be a resource for parents.

If you would like more information on how to enroll your child in the no-cost monthly program, you can call Lieutenant Ellis Sinclair with the Bibb Sheriff’s Office Outreach at 478-803-2701.