WASHINGTON – A three-day hearing on juvenile justice held by the President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice has sparked calls for reform in the way the country approaches youth justice.
The hearing, which took place via teleconference, featured expert witnesses from across the country, including Tim Irwin, a juvenile judge from Knox County, Tennessee; Brett Kyker, juvenile division chief for Cuyahoga County, Ohio; and John F. Clark, president and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Judge Irwin testified that juvenile court is ‘not an independent kingdom’ and needs to work with other pieces of the juvenile justice system to rehabilitate children and keep them safe. Chief Kyker recommended that law enforcement assess juveniles when they first encounter them and provide them with tailored services to steer them away from the criminal justice system.
President Clark emphasized the importance of prevention education and awareness, especially during times of uncertainty like the current COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that NCMEC provides age-appropriate safety and prevention resources on topics of online and real-world safety.
On Wednesday, the Commission heard testimony from Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers; Tarrant County Sheriff Bill E. Waybourn; Thomas Lemmer, deputy chief of the Chicago Police Department; and Addison Davis, superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida.
Testimony and discussion focused on how law enforcement addresses juveniles involved in crime. Executive Director Canady argued that positive relationships between students and school resource officers lay a powerful foundation for the exchange of information and the protective support of students. Sheriff Waybourn suggested that reexamining foster care programs and focusing on prevention could help address juvenile delinquency.
Deputy Chief Lemmer urged the Commission to acknowledge the core role of the juvenile court structure and emphasized the need for a ‘multi-layer community response’ to juvenile justice. Superintendent Davis advocated for a standardized threat assessment instrument accessible to all school districts.
The Commission completed its hearing on Thursday with testimony from Pam Iorio, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; Steve Salem, president and CEO of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation; Wintley Phipps, founder, president and CEO of U.S. Dream Academy Inc.; and Jim Clark, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Testimony and discussion focused on youth mentorship, with President Iorio highlighting the benefits of one-to-one mentoring programs and President Clark discussing how the COVID-19 pandemic is presenting new challenges to juvenile justice.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Juvenile Justice Reform
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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