The city has released details of its plan to build new juvenile justice facilities, which will allow New York City kids convicted of breaking the law to stay closer to their homes and families, rather than being sent to lockups run by the state.

One of the criticisms of the current system is that city kids don't get credit for the schoolwork they do while serving time in state facilities, since the schools aren't accredited by the Department of Education. Many students find it very hard to re-enter schools upon their return to the city and opening centers locally would offer continuity to their education. The city plans to operate new schools for kids in the city-controlled lockups, starting in September of this year.

Read Abigail Kramer's story about the plan on the new Child Welfare Watch news blog at the Center for New York City Affairs.