Juvenile Facilities

The Times’ broad-brushed condemnation of juvenile facilities perhaps bespeaks the problem of a system too large to receive fair scrutiny (“Dickens 2001,” editorial, Feb. 18). As part of the system, I can attest to this tale of two cities; it is the best and the worst of times. Unfortunately, as contract negotiations drag on and administrators are asked to work miracles for this underfunded stepchild, little acclaim is given the many great administrators and teachers who routinely do their utmost to abridge the number of future street urchins.

STEPHEN COLET, Teacher

Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall

Castaic