"What we're going to seek to do is ask for sentencing to include life skills classes, counseling, GED, having full-time employment or going to school full time, getting enrolled in Job Corps," Belnap said. "Those are the kinds of things we want included for anyone emerging from a closed society."

With thousands of cases prosecuted every year, Belnap said his office would consider pushing for the alternative sentences on a case-by-case basis, relying on The Hope Organization to notify him of any "Lost Boys" who get arrested. Tyler acknowledged that some of the more serious crimes would have to result in a jail sentence.

"But some of these kids that are walking the fence, if they picked up for alcohol consumption, Job Corps may be a good option for them," she said.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will sign legislation May 2 that will allow the "Lost Boys" to emancipate themselves at 16 years of age. HB30 was co-sponsored by Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake City, and Rep. Lorie Fowlke, R-Orem. It would allow minors to obtain legal financial standing if they petition a juvenile court judge and show they are capable of living independently under the circumstances they are in.

---

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com