Please read the following article on October 2, 2024 from CBS News on Maryland launching a statewide commission regarding the juvenile justice system.
By Andrew Adeolu
Updated on: October 2, 2024 / 10:49 AM EDT / CBS Baltimore
"BALTIMORE -- The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is reworking how it handles juveniles who break the law with a new statewide Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform and Emerging Best Practices.
On Monday the DJS announced that a 26-member commission will review and report on juvenile services, facilities, and programs in Maryland, working to reform detention policies and begin new supportive programming for justice-involved youth.
"The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is focused on promoting accountability, rehabilitation, and preventing justice-involved young people from reoffending," said Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi. "Using a data-informed approach and in partnership with our legislative leaders, law enforcement, community leaders, and other system stakeholders, we are committed to working with the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform to build safer and stronger communities."
The commission will be housed within the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and will hold its first meeting in October.
New policies
The following Maryland detention policies have been reformed for juvenile offenders along with the launch of supportive programming to keep at-risk juveniles out of the system altogether:
- All youth who are referred to the department after being accused of a violent felony and who are not detained will be placed on electronic monitoring before their initial court appearance.
- All youth who are already on electronic monitoring and are charged with a violent felony will be detained.
- "CARE"—or Community Assistance for the Release Eligible—is a new program that will work with system-involved youth who are neither detained nor placed on community detention to support them and their families and provide service referrals.
- The Detention Diversion Advocacy Program will support youth who are placed by the courts in the community while their cases are pending with intensive supervision support from credible messengers.
The supportive programming will build upon the DJS' ongoing reform programs, the Establishment of the Thrive Academy, and a $17 million investment in community programs for the youth."
Read the full article below:
