CHAPLAIN CHARLIE CORUM
Youthful Offender Resource Network
A project of Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries
"I was in prison and you came to visit me" Matthew 25: 36
Youthful Offender Resource Network
A project of Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries
"I was in prison and you came to visit me" Matthew 25: 36
CHAPLAIN CHARLIE CORUM
Picture
Charlie Corum is an ordained Baptist minister providing
services to the California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
- formerly the California Youth Authority (CYA) and Los
Angeles County Department of Probation (LACDP).
Charlie was born in 1951 in Los Angeles and trusted
Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord in 1975. He
founded and was Pastor of Olive Branch Outreach a
church in Rosemead, California for 17 years. He is single
and has been a youth correctional chaplain since 1995 with
Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries(PYCM). In
2006, Charlie started the Youthful Offender Resource
Network (YORN).
services to the California Department of Corrections
and Rehabilitation Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ)
- formerly the California Youth Authority (CYA) and Los
Angeles County Department of Probation (LACDP).
Charlie was born in 1951 in Los Angeles and trusted
Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord in 1975. He
founded and was Pastor of Olive Branch Outreach a
church in Rosemead, California for 17 years. He is single
and has been a youth correctional chaplain since 1995 with
Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries(PYCM). In
2006, Charlie started the Youthful Offender Resource
Network (YORN).
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION
DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE (DJJ)
DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE (DJJ)
SOUTHERN BAPTIST MINISTER
Chaplain Charlie was ordained in 1982. He has served since 1999 as Community Ministries Consultant for the
Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association (LASBA). In August 2007, Charlie was appointed as a home
missionary with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. He serves, as
one of six Community Ministry Field Specialists for the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC).
Through LASBA, Charlie is available to assist about 200 churhces in reaching out to their communities in ministries
of compassion and service. Those ministries include; block parties, employment assistance, homeless, hunger,
literacy, medical, orphan and foster support, prison, recovery, servant evangelism,seniors/widows and other
outreach programs and projects. More than 45 Southern Baptist and other Christian churches partner with Chaplain
Charlie, through YORN, to provide services / ministries to the southern DJJ region and the LACDP. Charlie also
serves the California Baptist Historical Society as Vice President for Church and Associaton History.
LASBA website Click Here
Los Angeles Southern Baptist Association (LASBA). In August 2007, Charlie was appointed as a home
missionary with the North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. He serves, as
one of six Community Ministry Field Specialists for the California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC).
Through LASBA, Charlie is available to assist about 200 churhces in reaching out to their communities in ministries
of compassion and service. Those ministries include; block parties, employment assistance, homeless, hunger,
literacy, medical, orphan and foster support, prison, recovery, servant evangelism,seniors/widows and other
outreach programs and projects. More than 45 Southern Baptist and other Christian churches partner with Chaplain
Charlie, through YORN, to provide services / ministries to the southern DJJ region and the LACDP. Charlie also
serves the California Baptist Historical Society as Vice President for Church and Associaton History.
LASBA website Click Here
PACIFIC YOUTH CORRECTIONAL MINISTRIES
Pacific Youth Correctional Ministries (PYCM) is an evangelical Christian 501 (c) (3) non-profit California religious
corporation . PYCM was started by Steve and Jan Lowe in 1985. Steve is the Executive Chaplain for the Orange
County Juvenile Hall system. The organization places chaplains and para chaplains in youth correctional facilities in
California, Texas, and other areas nationally and internationally. Chaplain Charlie joined PYCM in 1995. As an
independent contractor, through PYCM, he raises financial support to do ministry in the DJJ, LACDP and YORN.
Financial gifts to the ministry of Chaplain Charlie Corum are tax deductible and should be made payable to PYCM
and designated for; Charlie Corum, #23 (see, Contact Us page).
PYCM website Click Here
corporation . PYCM was started by Steve and Jan Lowe in 1985. Steve is the Executive Chaplain for the Orange
County Juvenile Hall system. The organization places chaplains and para chaplains in youth correctional facilities in
California, Texas, and other areas nationally and internationally. Chaplain Charlie joined PYCM in 1995. As an
independent contractor, through PYCM, he raises financial support to do ministry in the DJJ, LACDP and YORN.
Financial gifts to the ministry of Chaplain Charlie Corum are tax deductible and should be made payable to PYCM
and designated for; Charlie Corum, #23 (see, Contact Us page).
PYCM website Click Here
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Meal & Food Programs
The Youthful Offender Resource Network (YORN) provides opportunities for Christian
churches, ministries, businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor meal and food
activities and programs at local youth correctional facilities. For information on how you can
participate in this ministry of YORN please contact Chaplain Charlie by email.
February Calendar
February 2 Thursday Movie Night Incentive @ Dorothy Kirby Center
February 4 Saturday Ice Cream Social / Program @ Dorothy Kirby Center
February 4 Saturday Ice Cream Social / Program @ LA County Probation camps (2)
February 11 Saturday Ice Cream Social / Program @ LA County Probation camps (3)
February 18 Saturday Ice Cream Social / Program @ LA County Probation camps (3)
February 25 Saturday Ice Cream Social / Program @ LA County Probation camps (3)
March 3 Saturday Ice Cream Social / Program @ LA County Probation camps (2)
Gift Bags
Gift Bags are collected from churches, organizations and individuals to be distributed
throughout the year and especially at Christmas. Christmas Gift Bags should be brought in
the first week in December. Gift Bags are distributed throughout the year as needed to
youth, in County and State facilities, who have little, or no, money on their books
Our 2011 focus was to provide County Christmas bags for, at least, one juvenile hall and all
14 camps (1,750 bag total). Our goal was acheived and we give thanks to God and all
those churches, businesses, ministries and individuals who conributed to make it possible.
LACPD (COUNTY GIFT BAGS) (Cost about $3 per bag to make)
___ 3 of package of COOKIES (individual package; Chips Ahoy, Oreo, etc.)
___ 1 of FRUIT DRINK (individual carton; Capri or Hi C)
___ 1 of NUTRITION BAR
___ 1 of hard CANDY (Skittles or Starburst)
___ 2 of bags of CHIPS (individual package)
___ 1 of SHAMPOO (large plastic see through bottle)
___ Include your CHURCH CARD or flyer (no personal addresses)
___ Put in 1 of small #8 PAPER BAG
Amend Three Strikes
The Three Strikes Reform Act of 2012
will be on the ballot for the 2012 election
Prisoners currently serving life sentences for non-serious, non-violent crimes
that would not result in a life sentence under the new law can apply for a
sentence reduction. A judge must reduce the prisoner’s life sentence to a
term of years no less than double an ordinary sentence unless the sentence
reduction would cause "an unreasonable risk to public safety."
An estimated 3,000 inmates will be eligible for a new sentence
under this initiative.
FACTS Website Click Here
WHY SYCRCC SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CLOSED BY THE DJJ
In reference to the closure of the Southern Youth Correctional Reception Center and Clinic (SYCRCC) on
November 17, 2011, several points in opposition are presented below. The first six are in support of why
SYCRCC should have remained open. The last four speak for no more DJJ facilities, at all, being closed at
this time.
1) SYCRCC was the only DJJ facility left in Los Angeles County where 370 (27.8%) of the DJJ
population comes from. Many youth have been relocated, many, hundreds of miles from families into DJJ
facilities in Camarillo (1) and Stockton (2). The distance is far greater for families in other southern counties
like San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, San Diego and Indio counties.
2) SYCRCC was the most incident free and non violent DJJ facility. The Superintendent, in 2007,
implemented Peace and Unity to “eliminate” violence at the Norwalk DJJ facility. Violence had been reduced
by more than 70%. Of the four DJJ facilities, SYCRCC had significantly far fewer incidents (196, 588, 761,
1,453). This most violent free environment promoted rehabilitation which in turn impacted recidivism in
communities where youth return to.
3) SYCRCC had the highest rated high school in the DJJ that recently received a 6-year accreditation
which is exceptional. J. B. Clark HS is the #1 ranked DJJ HS and just received a 6-year accreditation.
JBCHS had the DJJ’s highest graduation rate (95%) and highest compliance in Educational Services (96%)
mandated by Farrell v. Cate. Youth were returning to their communities educated and motivated to live new
lives as productive citizens.
4) SYCRCC had built the largest partnership of community stakeholders in the DJJ. SYCRCC had
attracted 365 active volunteers. A large Foster Grandparent program contributed more than 29,000 volunteer
hours in 2009/10. More than 60 local churches participated at SYCRCC. In the 6-montn period (12/10-05/11)
the average for volunteer visits was 315. Volunteers returned to the community with passion to show
compassion and work with at risk youth.
5) SYCRCC had, by far, the most family participation in visiting and largest DJJ family council. The
weekend average for youth visited in May / June was144 with the average number of family visitors each
weekend being 749. In compliance with Farrell v. Cate, SYCRCC supported and encouraged family
reunification supporting the rehabilitation of youthful offenders going home. Parents also participated
freely in activities and special events.
6) SYCRCC being closed will have a great negative impact on the local economy. The Norwalk DJJ
employed about 400 staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They ate breakfast, lunch and dinner locally.
Community volunteers (365) and staff bought from local vendors to provide for activities at the facility.
Weekend visitors (average, 749) used public transportation and patronized local businesses. The loss of
jobs will also have a big impact on the local economy where many have chosen to live.
7) Another DJJ facility now closed will mean more California youth sentenced to adult prison (direct
files). California has about 300 juveniles with Life without Parole sentences (JLWP). The number of
juveniles tried as adults doubled in California between 2004 and 2009. The cost to house an inmate is $47k
per year. Times 60 years and considering health and aging the total cost could be more than $2.5 million
each. The DJJ is a “middle” tier between County juvenile halls/camps and adult prison. California leads the
nation in juvenile arrests and gangs. Without the DJJ more youth will be direct files and, at age 18, be sent
to overcrowd adult prisons. California, more than any State must have a “DJJ” to give youth a chance to
change. In California, DJJ youth can remain to age 25 giving prosecutors a sentencing choice.
8) Another DJJ facility now closed will mean less Juvenile Sex Offenders (JSO) and other high level
youthful offenders receiving treatment needed. Closure of the DJJ, as some suggest, would force County
Probation departments to handle the most serious juvenile offenders. Murder, assault, arson, kidnapping,
severe mental health, sex offenses are some of criminal offenses handled by the DJJ. The average JSO cost
the State egregiously if left “untreated.” The average JSO has 380 victims in his lifetime, but completion of
treatment reduces their recidivism by 40 to 70 %. 41% of the DJJ population is in need of mental health
services. 22% are in need of sexual behavior treatment services. 95% of new DJJ commitments have a
history of serious and violent crimes. The cost to accommodate and treat such juveniles could rise to
billions of tax payer dollars. Consideration must be given to the large number of foster youth in the DJJ
whose support base will be taken away once again.
9) Closing another DJJ facility, at this time, was ill-advised and demonstrates a lack of foresight by
CDCR and the DJJ. The current DJJ population is at the limit for the present number of DJJ beds and
California counties are backed up with DJJ commitments. This in not in compliance with Farrell v. Cate
directives on housing DJJ youth. The U S Supreme Court has just ruled against overcrowded California
prisons. And at the same time the DJJ decides to close another youth facility forcing itself back into an
environment of overcrowded violent and unsafe conditions. Any DJJ closure will put Safety and Security at
risk. Overcrowded more violent DJJ facilities will reduce rehabilitation and upon release youth returning will
more negatively impact Public Safety.
10) Another DJJ facility now closed will force California counties to mix the most violent youthful
offenders, sex offenders and severe mental health youth among other mild even non violent youth.
California has closed 9 State juvenile facilities since 2003. There were only 4 remaining. Counties will be
forced to build more space and new facilities costing millions of dollars. California has been urged to move
more in the direction of the Missouri model for dealing with youthful offenders. In a letter to Superintendent
Stansberry, Expert & Chief Auditor Dr. Barry Krisberg highly commended SYCRCC. In reference to his 2009
Implementation of Safety & Welfare Remedial Plan Report, Dr Krisberg says, “This (SYCRCC) is the best DJJ
facility by far . . . This is as close to the Missouri DYS Model as we have in California.” If California had
toclose one more DJJ facility surely it should NOT HAVE BEEN SYCRCC!
This website is dedicated to the memory of my parents; Ernie and Berta Corum,
who believed in, and loved the Lord Jesus Christ, and always encouraged and supported
me in sharing God's love with incarcerated and paroled youth.
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