|
Maria Rivera Brown, Urban Coordinating Council Representative
840 Bear Tavern Rd
P.O. Box 107
Trenton, NJ 08625-0107
Telephone: (609) 530-4748
Fax: (609) 530-2465
Additional Information:
Institutions and Community Programs
MISSION STATEMENT
The New Jersey Justice Commission is the single State agency mandated by legislation to lead and implement reform of the juvenile justice system. The Commission promotes public safety and serves youth through a continuum of services. These services include prevention, intervention, incarceration, education and aftercare. This is accomplished in collaboration with families, communities and government agencies. The Commission is committed to operating clean, safe and secure programs and facilities. The Commission serves as an advocate for youth, victims and citizens of the State by emphasizing youth accountability and affording opportunities for adjudicated youth to become independent, productive and law abiding citizens.
The Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) is established in, but not of, the Department of Law and Public Safety. The JJC brings together under one roof all state agencies serving youth adjudicated delinquent and committed to the state for incarceration or supervision and related services.
The JJC is responsible for providing a continuum of services and sanctions for juveniles in its custody and for developing a statewide plan for the effective provision of juvenile justice services at the state, county, and local levels. Further, at is responsible for the administration of the State/Community Partnership Grant Program through which the state provides finds to county governments to encourage the provision and enhancement of services for juveniles adjudicated or charged as delinquent and programs for the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Additionally, the JJC provides funding for county youth services commissions who are responsible for planning and implementing the Partnership at the local level.
The JJC operates the New Jersey Training School for Boys in Jamesburg, the Juvenile Medium Security Facility, and Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake in Bordentown; the Stabilization and Reintegration Program (Boot Camp) at the Wharton Tract and its Orientation Unit at Turrell.
The Commission has 17 residential group centers administered by the JJC, 2 residential programs administered by contract agencies, and I residential program administered through an inter- agency agreement.
Six residential drug treatment facilities, through a contract with the JJC, provide specialized drug treatment for adjudicated youth.
Project C.O.R.E, another contracted service, provides a three- phased program of residential, day and aftercare services for adjudicated youth from Essex County.
The TREK Program, under contract with the JJC, draws candidates from the residential centers for a wilderness experience lasting up to 40 days.
The Commission administers 9-day programs throughout the State. One-day program is administered through an inter-agency agreement. The JJC also administers an aftercare program in Mercer County for juveniles returning to their homes following residential placements.
The Commission also contracts with 6 agencies for various community-based support programs for juveniles as alternatives to incarceration.
Mr. Paul Donnelly is the Executive Director of the Commission. The Central Office is located at 840 Bear Tavern Road, Trenton, New Jersey, There are three regional offices, managed by Regional Directors, who oversee the operations throughout their respective regions, Regional offices are located in Jersey City, Trenton and Atlantic City.
MAJOR INITIATIVES OF THE COMMISSION
State/Community Partnership Grant
This program provides counties with fiscal incentives to develop programs locally for juveniles adjudicated delinquent and programs to prevent delinquency. Encouraging local programming should ensure offender accountability and foster rehabilitation- reduce overcrowding in state juvenile facilities and in county detention facilities; provide a graduated sanctions approach between probation and secure care; provide greater access to community-based sanctions and services for minority and female offenders; expand programs designed to prevent delinquency and promote public safety. County youth services commissions are designated by the county governing body to administer the Partnership Grant Program within each county.
Youth Services Commissions
The Youth Services Commissions (YSC) are required to assess priorities and needs of youth involved or at-risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system. They develop, implement and contract for community programs for juveniles, as well as review and monitor new and existing community programs to determine their effectiveness. They are also responsible for planning for youth at-risk of further involvement in the juvenile justice system. The membership consists of family court judges, prosecutors, detention center directors, family court staff, public defenders, agency directors and community members who are interested in the juvenile justice system.
Aftercare
For the first time, through the JJC, New Jersey provides coordinated, funded aftercare services. Aftercare services are an integral step in the ladder of rehabilitation. At present, youth who enter the Stabilization and Reintegration Program (Boot Camp) are provided with formalized aftercare services. Follow-up on educational opportunities, work plans and living conditions are monitored and supported by community case managers and parole officers that provide the necessary resources to help youth become productive members of the community.
Inter-Agency Collaborations
The Commission recognizes that the problems of delinquency require a multi-faceted approach and seeks to develop partnerships with communities as well as agencies and departments within state government. Through the Commissions' Advisory Council, a dialogue has begun about how other agencies and departments in the State can provide assistance and services to troubled youth. For instance, the Department of Labor is currently working with the Commission to identify job opportunities for our youth.
Detention Reform
The Juvenile Justice Commission is currently undertaking a Detention Reform Project. The project is funded through a Challenge Grant from the Federal Office of Juvenile, Justice and Delinquency Prevention. A Detention Reform Task Force has been created to serve in an advisory capacity to the JJC and is made up of a variety of agencies serving youth in the juvenile justice system. The JJC has hired two-detention specialist to staff the task force. The detention specialists, in collaboration with the Task Force, will examine detention policy and practice as they relate to the problem of detention overcrowding throughout the State.
|
