The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) has issued a public alert, urging citizens to be on high alert for two teenage boys who escaped from the Three Rivers Behavioral Health facility in Lexington County on August 28. Malachi Joseph Ussery, 18, from Columbia, and Robert Richard Louis Bissonnette IV, 17, from Anderson, are the two individuals in question. But let's take a step back and consider the bigger picture: what led to this escape, and what are the implications for public safety?

SLED warns that Ussery has a "violent criminal history," and it's easy to assume that this increases the risk of harm to others. But what if we flip the script? What if Ussery's past experiences have led him to feel desperate and hopeless, and his escape is a cry for help? Or what if Bissonnette, with his shaved head and shorter hair, is simply trying to blend in and start anew?

The SCDJJ should be commended for taking swift action to alert the public, but it's also crucial to consider the systemic issues that may have contributed to this escape. Are the facilities equipped to handle the unique needs of juvenile offenders? Are they providing adequate support and resources to help these young people turn their lives around?

As we search for the missing teens, let's also take a moment to reflect on the broader implications. What does it say about our society when we prioritize punishment over rehabilitation? How can we create a system that supports, rather than fails, our most vulnerable citizens?

CAROLINA LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION

"Two Teenagers on the Loose: A Cautionary Tale of Escaped Teens and Public Safety"

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