Stockton – Juvenile offenders at the N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility in Stockton have donated $5,193 earned behind bars to Amador County’s witness and victim assistance center. Three other counties- San Joaquin, Tuolumne and Mendocino- will receive equal donations. According to Bill Sessa, state prison system spokesman, that amounts to 15 percent of the wages earned by those working for private companies inside the San Joaquin County youth prison system. The money is extracted from workers paid minimum wage and is given to charities. The Merit Corporation, a firm that recycles electronics, and Earthwise Recycling, which turns outdated baked goods into animal feed, both employ teenagers inside Chaderjian. Sessa said what makes this decision unique is that those locked up voted to give the money to groups that help crime victims and witnesses. Amador County’s Sheriff Department and Department of Emergency Services both thanked the boys and girls for their donation. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.