PITTSBURGH,None — Children participating in a "scared straight" program at the Allegheny County Jail were exposed to pedophiles and violent criminals, according to Channel 11's news exchange partners at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The Trib reported Thursday that jail officials discovered in January 2009 that some prisoners participating in the program should not have been allowed to be around children. Warden Ramon C. Rustin said he immediately changed the program so anyone with a bail bond over $50,000 or those accused of violent sexual conduct were not allowed to participate.
The "Men and Women of Truth" program brings children and inmates together in hopes of encouraging kids to make good choices. Rustin said inmates were never left alone with children.
Some school districts said they are upset that jail officials didn't do a better job of vetting inmates.
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