Juveniles on probation take part in Governor's 5K - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

Juveniles on probation take part in Governor's 5K

Governor Phil Bryant held the first-ever Governor's 5-K for health Saturday morning, beginning at the Governor's Mansion in Jackson. Along with state employees and others trying to get healthy, a group of seven teens also took part.

We can't show their faces because they're Rankin County juvenile offenders on probation.

They participated because of a program called Juvenile Detention Alternatives. It's a national program designed to steer young offenders in the right direction, and reduce the chance that they will engage in repeat behavior.

The runners practice three times a week with Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey.

"The kids meet on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. They're building up to this 5-K," Sheriff Bailey says. "When they started, they picked eight kids on probation, youth court. Since that time only one kid has gotten back in trouble. The one that got in trouble begged not to be taken out of the run program."

Governor Bryant says the 5-K will raise $10,000 for the Batson Children's Hospital. More than 800 people took part.

"You see a lot of teams around from state agencies, so this is very good," Governor Bryant says. "We're going to lower our insurance rates and save taxpayer money."

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