Angela Conyers Johnese, juvenile justice director at the nonprofit Advocates for Children and Youth, released a critical study Thursday of the state of Maryland?s juvenile justice system.
In the study, Johnese advocates that Maryland replicate Missouri?s system, which she says is more effective and does a better job of rehabilitating young offenders.
In the study, you describe Maryland?s juvenile justice system as a “catastrophic failure.” Why do you say that?
That?s based on the recidivism rate.
Right now, a year after release, one out of two Maryland juveniles are being rearrested. In Missouri, they have only a 10 percent recidivism rate.
What makes Missouri so successful?
They?ve trained their staff as counselors. They?re not just guards. They work with people in the community. It?s had a monumental effect. The Maryland [Department of Juvenile Services] is trying this out. But they haven?t fully implemented the training. They need to make changes now. It can?t be delayed.
Maryland has put a lot of emphasis on the $20 million Victor Cullen Center in Frederick County, a 48-bed secure treatment facility on the Maryland-Pennsylvania border, where juveniles who break the law will be held. What do you think of it?
The problem with Victor Cullen is the department is implementing the same failed policies. In Missouri, all staff are required to have at least 60 college credits, but at Victor Cullen, staff are only required to have a high school diploma or equivalency. The department also has not released data on youths who have left Victor Cullen. So there?s no evidence that the center is effectively rehabilitating youth.
