Department of Education Emphasizes “Choices”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
CONTACTS:
Mary Jane Michalak, 317-232-6616
Jason Bearce, 317-232-6618

When Ramona Johnson speaks to students about gun violence and the importance of choices, she hopes they listen and take what she says to heart. They should. She knows what she is talking about. Ramona spent 12 ½ years in prison for choices she made when she was 21 years old.

“I bought a handgun, sold the gun illegally, sent the gun into a heated situation, and lied to the police,” she says.

Johnson is making better choices today, and over the last six months, she has spoke at 40 engagements, including schools and juvenile detention centers. Today, she spoke to journalism students at Ritter High School after they viewed the new Indiana Department of Education video, “Choices,” a documentary that is being used to deter gun violence and crime.

The 20-minute video highlights three incarcerated female offenders who have been convicted of crimes involving firearms. In the video, the women – including Johnson – discuss the circumstances that led to their arrests – and the resulting consequences of their choices.

“My goal is to stop gun violence and to influence kids in a positive way so they can have a bright future,” said Johnson. “I try to give them insight on what is to come if they do not make better choices.”

The video, which was produced by the Indiana Department of Education in partnership with Indiana Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Office of the United States Attorney for Southern District of Indiana, will be available for presentations across the state at schools, detention centers, alternative education programs, youth-serving agencies and the faith community. The video will emphasize the message, particularly to young women, about the importance of making good choices.

The Indiana Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program is part of a U.S. Department of Justice National Initiative that targets the problem of gun violence in communities. Other partners include: the Indiana Women’s Prison, the Indianapolis Commission on African American Males, the Indianapolis Violence Reduction Partnership, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, and WXIN-59.

United States Attorney for Southern District of Indiana Susan Brooks attended the event to release the video and encouraged students to be thoughtful in their decision making.

“Gun crime is a growing problem in Marion County, especially among young people,” said Brooks. “We need to educate youth about how even secondary involvement in a gun crime can have significant consequences, consequences that can change a life forever.”

For more information on how to obtain a copy of the video, please contact Cathy Danyluk, Juvenile Justice Liaison for the Indiana Department of Education, at 317-232-9150. Additional information is available on the Department’s Web site at: www.doe.in.gov/sservices/juvenile.html.