LaDeijah Brison: Beyond Scared Straight

LaDeijah Brisbon, a student at RNE, was featured on the show Beyond Scared Straight. This TV show follows at risk teens as they go through a day in prison, showing them what their future could be if they continue to follow the bad choices they’re currently making in life. The Richland County School District (RCSD) has their own program for this called the R.E.A.D.Y. (Richland County, Educating, and Deterring Youth) Program.

The R.E.A.D.Y. Program was founded in 2007 by Sheriff Leon Lott, aiming to reduce delinquent behavior among the youth. Over twenty five hundred young adults have attended this program, their goal being to “establish better behavior patterns within the household and community.” Due to parents asking what would happened next after the R.E.A.D.Y. Program for their child, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department created the Next Step Program.

“The [R.E.A.D.Y.] program was devastating… It was like a black hole and you couldn’t find your way out.”

-LaDeijah Brisbon

The Next Step Program was started in 2012, having kids attend a mandatory meeting after the completion of the R.E.A.D.Y. program. This meeting would happen 15 to 30 days after, allowing for the sheriff’s department to see how the child is doing after some time has past. It also includes educational workshops, family meditation sessions, and aims to help kids in all stages of life.

After LaDeijah went through the R.E.A.D.Y., she realized that she needed to change. She decided to join Richland Northeast’s JROTC program. She used it to become a more determined person, knowing that being angry and stubborn wouldn’t lead her anywhere and that she needed to become more focused on her goals.

“One word I’d have to describe myself now would be determined. One word that i could describe myself then was lost. But through the Beyond Scared Straight program, I came from a lost girl to a determined girl mainly because of ROTC.”

-LaDeijah Brison

You can read more about the R.E.A.D.Y. and Next Step Programs at Richland County’s Sheriff Department’s website, or by clicking here.