MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- A new report by the Juvenile Justice Alliance says the controversial Connecticut Juvenile Training School has improved, but that more can be done.

“What do we do to make this facility as good as it can be while it remains open?” asked Abby Anderson, of the JJA.

The report recommends simple things, like adding carpeting to rooms and allowing kids to put up pictures or posters on their walls.

“Something that makes it a little bit more, not necessarily homie, I'm not sure how homie you can make a cell, but something that helps to give it a more rehabilitative feel,” said Anderson.

Rehabilitation could also improve with better programs, smaller groups of kids and more interaction with the community, the report says.

“We're really looking at kids who can have their lives turned around, who can make changes,” said Anderson.

The Department of Children and Families says it’s committed to continuing improvements at CJTS and working with the community and advocates to effect positive changes.

The unions that represent workers inside CJTS said they’re glad the report notes what they've done.

“It recognizes the work that the employees inside are doing,” said CJTS Youth Service Officer Brian Goralski. “They work hard, they're professionals, and the direction the facility is taking now is much different than when we opened.”

But some said aesthetic changes aren't enough. They said the focus needs to be mostly on education.

“That's the name of the game,” said teacher Paula Dillon. “It's not posters and paint and all that. The kids care about good services, too.”

The report, state and workers all share a common goal, they said, which is having kids leave there better off than when they came in.