Reforming the Cal youth penal system

Gov. Schwarzenegger has his share of flaws, but his administration’s plan to reform the juvenile prison system sounds like a step in the right direction. It would focus on vocational training, education and counselling instead of punitive measures — and while critics say it doesn’t go far enough (I agree), it’s a step ahead of just about every other state system. Ever tight-fisted Schwarzenegger, of course, hasn’t dedicated nearly enough money to the project. But the youth prison system is in such trouble that he may have no choice.