Posted on 02/20/24
| News Source: FOX45
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at a FOX45 News Your Voice, Your Future Town Hall that his vision of juvenile justice reform focuses on accountability for both the juvenile justice system and the youth involved with it.
Moore was joined by Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates and Prince George's County State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy.
"Our job is to make sure our communities are safe," said Gov. Moore.
"We have to look at holding young people accountable. So, a lot of times, I understand the diversion, and that's important. But, also, where's the restitution gonna come from," said Bates.
"By the end of this General Assembly, we are going to have a bill that is going to be strong, that is going to focus on the key thing that I said any bill dealing with juveniles has to focus on, and that's accountability," said Gov. Moore.
Gov. Moore said the Department of Juvenile Justice was facing steep challenges when he took office last year and ordered a top-to-bottom review of the department.
"We're talking about a department that was underfunded, undermanned, morale was low, and there was no levels of - really small levels of coordination that took place," said Moore.
Moore said 18% of the positions in the department were vacant which led to a lack of coordination between DJS and law enforcement. He also said that there was no real mechanism to deal with the state's most challenged youth.
"The ones who have two and three and four referrals. The ones who have already been found guilty of violence using a handgun. There was no mechanism to deal with that," said Moore.
Central to the discussion of the juvenile justice system is the head of the department, Vincent Schiraldi. FOX45 News has been investigating the past policy positions at his previous jobs and Moore's past interactions with him.
"There was no long-term relationship that sometimes gets advertised. I think it’s also important to remember that the policies that are put out from the Moore-Miller Administration, let’s be clear who the governor is," said Gov. Moore.
When asked about extending probation, Moore, said he did support that part of the juvenile justice reform proposal but did not answer whether or not Schiraldi supports the proposal.
Bates was also asked about DJS Secretary Schiraldi.
"While we weren't always eye to eye, we found common ground on a number of issues," said Bates. "What I do know is that his boss is the governor. And what I do know is that the governor will do what the governor need to do because he is committed to the people. So, I'm not as worried about Secretary Schrialdi because I know who the boss is."
Braveboy weighed in on juvenile crime, and the bill moving through the General Assembly intended to hold juveniles accountable. She said it's not about putting young people in jail but protecting communities and getting young people the resources they need.
"I have never believed that individuals should not be punished and punished appropriately," said Braveboy. "So, the question is how are they coming back to us? So, while I believe in appropriate punishment - appropriate sentencing - I also believe that we have to give people a realistic pathway to come home and be stronger and better citizens."
"We have victims that deserve justice, we have a community that deserves safety, and we have individuals that need to be taught a lesson," said Braveboy.