The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services launched the Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform Tuesday and also announced new supportive programming for youth involved in the justice system.
The statewide commission will review and report on juvenile services, facilities and programs throughout the state.
“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 in a news release.
“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 26-member commission is charged with reviewing programs to divert children from the juvenile justice system. The commission will report on support and programming for girls in the juvenile justice system, the use of child-in-need-of-supervision petitions, the number of petitions authorized or denied by a jurisdiction and wait times for placement of children in facilities.
The Department of Juvenile Services staff also announced reforms to its detention policies. Now, all youth referred to the department after being accused of a violent felony but not detained will be monitored electronically until their initial court appearance.
Any youth already being monitored electronically and then charged with a violent felony will be detained, under the reforms.
Youth and their families who are not detained will be supported in a new program, Community Assistance for the Release Eligible.
Thrive Academy was established to focus on young people at the highest risk of gun violence, according to the news release.
