Westmoreland CountyWestmoreland County

Juvenile CourtJuvenile Court

John J. DriscollJohn J. Driscoll

Administrative JudgeAdministrative Judge

2771 South Grande Boulevard2771 South Grande Boulevard2771 South Grande Boulevard Greensburg PA 15601Greensburg PA 15601Greensburg PA 15601

Phone: 724Phone: 724Phone: 724---830830830---420042004200

Fax: 724Fax: 724Fax: 724---830830830---425742574257

•• Community ProtectionCommunity Protection •• Victim RestorationVictim Restoration •• Youth RedemptionYouth Redemption

The solution to crime prevention does not lie solely The solution to crime prevention does not lie solely

with the police, the courts or the probation office. It is with the police, the courts or the probation office. It is

the community stepping forward to assist those the community stepping forward to assist those

parties in carrying out their duties that can prevent parties in carrying out their duties that can prevent

crime.crime.

For example, community organizations, faith commu-For example, community organizations, faith commu-

nities and schools have intensive longnities and schools have intensive long--term contact term contact

with children and can have positive influences on with children and can have positive influences on

them. We are convinced that a child develops not them. We are convinced that a child develops not

only through services but also through support and only through services but also through support and

opportunities provided by his/her community.opportunities provided by his/her community.

The Westmoreland County Juvenile Court partners The Westmoreland County Juvenile Court partners

with communities to reach the goals of the Juvenile with communities to reach the goals of the Juvenile

Justice System, an approach that promises to increase Justice System, an approach that promises to increase

positive outcomes for all those involved. Our pledge positive outcomes for all those involved. Our pledge

is to make Balanced and Restorative Justice work for is to make Balanced and Restorative Justice work for

victims of juvenile crime, communities and youth victims of juvenile crime, communities and youth

offenders.offenders.

To our Westmoreland County Community:

Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation is Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation is pleased to celebrate with you our accomplishments pleased to celebrate with you our accomplishments and successes over the past year. The purpose of and successes over the past year. The purpose of this report is to provide you, the taxpayers, a de-this report is to provide you, the taxpayers, a de-scription of how your juvenile justice system is per-scription of how your juvenile justice system is per-forming. We hope you find this information helpful forming. We hope you find this information helpful and determine that the return on your investment is and determine that the return on your investment is reasonable. Please note that we hold ourselves ac-reasonable. Please note that we hold ourselves ac-countable for our performance and will continue to countable for our performance and will continue to strive to improve each year.strive to improve each year.

For over 40 years, we have worked with For over 40 years, we have worked with thousands thousands of community volunteers in every municipality in of community volunteers in every municipality in Westmoreland County. These volunteers continue Westmoreland County. These volunteers continue to help us each and every day by volunteering their to help us each and every day by volunteering their time and energy toward helping juvenile offenders time and energy toward helping juvenile offenders who are referred to our local Youth Commissions. who are referred to our local Youth Commissions. Therefore, because of our experience with this Therefore, because of our experience with this award winning program, we truly understand the award winning program, we truly understand the impact and value the community has on juvenile impact and value the community has on juvenile offenders. We know that in order for our system to offenders. We know that in order for our system to work effectively and successfully, we need West-work effectively and successfully, we need West-moreland County Citizens to be involved in chil-moreland County Citizens to be involved in chil-dren’s lives. dren’s lives. We know that when juveniles feel they We know that when juveniles feel they are part of a community, they are less likely to are part of a community, they are less likely to commit crimes.commit crimes. For that reason, our involvement in community For that reason, our involvement in community initiatives throughout Westmoreland County is initiatives throughout Westmoreland County is extensive. Here are just a few examples that may be extensive. Here are just a few examples that may be of interest to you:of interest to you:

The New Kensington/Arnold Truancy ProjectThe New Kensington/Arnold Truancy Project The Jeannette Justice ProjectThe Jeannette Justice Project The Monessen Communities That Care ProjectThe Monessen Communities That Care Project

If you would like to become involved and believe that If you would like to become involved and believe that you can help us in any way, please contact me by calling you can help us in any way, please contact me by calling 724/830724/830--4200. I also encourage you to visit our web 4200. I also encourage you to visit our web site @ site @ www.co.westmoreland.pa.uswww.co.westmoreland.pa.us for further for further information on the services we offer in information on the services we offer in Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation.Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation. Addie BeighleyAddie Beighley Director Juvenile ProbationDirector Juvenile Probation

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•• AccountabilityAccountability When a crime is committed by a When a crime is committed by a

juvenile, an obligation to the victim juvenile, an obligation to the victim is incurred. Offenders should make is incurred. Offenders should make every effort to assume responsibility every effort to assume responsibility

for their actions and to restore for their actions and to restore losses suffered by victims.losses suffered by victims.

•• 93% of Juveniles Completed 93% of Juveniles Completed

Assigned Community Service Assigned Community Service ObligationsObligations

•• 6,342 Hours of Community 6,342 Hours of Community Service were CompletedService were Completed

•• $53,348 of Restitution was paid $53,348 of Restitution was paid to victimsto victims

•• 79% of Juveniles made full 79% of Juveniles made full restitution to their victim(s)restitution to their victim(s)

Community ProtectionCommunity Protection The public has a right to a safe and

secure community, including protection from known offenders.

•• 77% of Juvenile Offenders Successfully 77% of Juvenile Offenders Successfully Completed SupervisionCompleted Supervision •• 79% of Juvenile Offenders Complied 79% of Juvenile Offenders Complied with their Conditions of Supervisionwith their Conditions of Supervision

“Pennsylvania’s vision for the future of juvenile justice is one “Pennsylvania’s vision for the future of juvenile justice is one that involves every community; assists all victims supports all that involves every community; assists all victims supports all

families and helps all juveniles to become responsible citizens.”families and helps all juveniles to become responsible citizens.”

The The MissionMission of the of the Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation Westmoreland County Juvenile Probation DepartmentDepartment

“With teamwork & cooperation, we will strive for excellence to “With teamwork & cooperation, we will strive for excellence to provide programs of supervision, care, and rehabilitation, by provide programs of supervision, care, and rehabilitation, by

administering balanced attention to the needs of children, victims administering balanced attention to the needs of children, victims and the community. This mission is accomplished through a and the community. This mission is accomplished through a

professional effort of extending respect to all those with whom we professional effort of extending respect to all those with whom we work and serve”work and serve”

Competency DevelopmentCompetency Development Offenders should leave the Juvenile Justice System more capable of being responsible and productive

members of their communities.

• 91% of Juveniles were employed or in an educational or vocational activity • 83% of Juveniles successfully completed a competency development activity

2007 A2007 A2007 AWARDSWARDSWARDS

Ms. Kristine Johnson is our Community Based Probation Officer who will receive the Dr. Anthony F. Ceddia Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Juvenile Justice. Kristine is the only recipient of this award. She was chosen by her professors in the graduate program at Shippensburg University, where she will receive her Masters of Science in Administration of Justice. This award will be presented to her in November 2007 at the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission Conference in Harrisburg, PA. Kristine also received the Mental Health Association’s Fred Funari Award of Distinction in 2004. Criteria for the award are substantial service in support of Mental Health Association activities which change attitudes about mental illness and promote good mental health, community involvement, and personal characteristics such as integrity, sensitivity, dedication, and leadership. PTSD Project Coordinator, Mrs. Deborah Ciocco was selected as The Juvenile Probation Professional of the Year by the Pennsylvania Association on Probation Parole and Corrections in recognition of outstanding service to Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System. Mr. Eugene Dickert is the award recipient of the “2007 Meritorious Service Award” chosen by the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission. This award will be presented to him in November at the Annual Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission Conference in Harrisburg PA. Mr. Dickert has volunteered his time to the Juvenile Probation Department for many years. He is held in high regard for all his contributions.

20052005 20062006

Total Delinquency New Referral DispositionsTotal Delinquency New Referral Dispositions 863 935863 935

Total Delinquency DispositionsTotal Delinquency Dispositions 1,293 1,3851,293 1,385

Total Delinquency PlacementsTotal Delinquency Placements 143 145143 145

Total Dependency DispositionsTotal Dependency Dispositions 639 594639 594

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In January 2005, Westmoreland County was chosen to In January 2005, Westmoreland County was chosen to host the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Project as host the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Project as Pennsylvania’s first and only Demonstration Site. Pennsylvania’s first and only Demonstration Site.

Grant monies were awarded to the Juvenile Probation Department Grant monies were awarded to the Juvenile Probation Department from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Since that time the Juvenile Court has embraced the opportunity Since that time the Juvenile Court has embraced the opportunity

and has accomplished the following:and has accomplished the following:

•• Host of three Annual StateHost of three Annual State--wide wide Conferences with 200Conferences with 200--300 participants each 300 participants each

yearyear

•• All Statewide PTSD training completed All Statewide PTSD training completed within the County which provided over within the County which provided over

$200,000 to area businesses. $200,000 to area businesses.

•• Trained seventyTrained seventy--five new facilitators five new facilitators who are now conducting PTSD groups who are now conducting PTSD groups throughout Pennsylvania’s Residential throughout Pennsylvania’s Residential

PlacementsPlacements

•• Continued to publish the PTSD POST and distribute quarterly to 1,500 professionals Continued to publish the PTSD POST and distribute quarterly to 1,500 professionals throughout Pennsylvaniathroughout Pennsylvania

•• Over 2,000 professionals statewide have been trained in PTSD informationOver 2,000 professionals statewide have been trained in PTSD information

•• Created a 20 session psychoeducational Stress In Adolescence Curriculum for use in many Created a 20 session psychoeducational Stress In Adolescence Curriculum for use in many adolescent arenasadolescent arenas

AWARDSAWARDS

The project was the recipient of the “2006 Juvenile Justice The project was the recipient of the “2006 Juvenile Justice Trainer’s Association Award for Excellence”, a National Trainer’s Association Award for Excellence”, a National award sponsored by the National Partnership on Juvenile award sponsored by the National Partnership on Juvenile

ServicesServices

The project was also recipient of the Specialized Topics The project was also recipient of the Specialized Topics Award and Training Systems by the International Award and Training Systems by the International

Association of Correctional Training Personnel, 2006Association of Correctional Training Personnel, 2006

This project won the 2004 Juvenile Court Judges’ This project won the 2004 Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission “Program of the Year” AwardCommission “Program of the Year” Award

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● 800 Middle School Students from public and parochial Westmoreland County schools will receive a tour of the Juvenile Detention Center ● All schools are encouraged to participate and compete with other schools in a Community Service Project of their choice. Students will become actively involved in selecting the project. Meaningful community service will increase positive relationships between the students and their communities. Projects will be judged on the following: The impact on the community, the quality of the project, the number of people involved in the project and the quality of the presentation. The winner will receive $500, a pizza party and win the M.A.D. Cup for 2007-2008. ● A simulated juvenile hearing will be performed ● We will provide the opportunity to hear from juveniles in the system who have been removed from their homes and placed in juvenile facilities ● Adult Prisoners from the State Regional Correctional Institute of Greensburg will speak to students about prison life ● Police officers will be escorting their Canine Partners. ● Our 26th Open House will be held from 5:00pm – 9:00pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at the Juvenile Center, which is free to the public. All are welcome!!!! ● The Annual Community Justice Report will be distributed to our Westmoreland County Communities

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During the week:During the week:

2007 marks the 26th year that the Westmoreland County Juvenile Court has celebrated Juvenile Court Week.

No other County in the Commonwealth has conducted such an in depth program and hosted so many school students for this length of time. We are

very proud of our dedication to this program and have escorted approximately 20,000 school students through our Center over the years.

THEMETHEME Community Service WorkCommunity Service Work

“GO M.A.D.”“GO M.A.D.” (Make a Difference)(Make a Difference)

In Westmoreland County.In Westmoreland County.

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Percent of Closed Cases That Completed Community Service Obligations in FullPennsylvania Statewide and Westmoreland County 2004 - 2006

94% 94% 94%

93%

97%

93%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

100%

2004 2005 2006

Statewide Outcomes (JCJC) Westmoreland County

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Percent of Closed Cases That Paid Restitution Obligations in FullPennsylvania Statewide and Westmoreland County 2004 - 2006

86%85% 85%

88%

80%

87%

70%

75%

80%

85%

90%

95%

100%

2004 2005 2006

Statewide Outcomes (JCJC) Westmoreland County

MISSION STATEMENT

FOR

Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System

“JUVENILE JUSTICE:

COMMUNITY PROTECTION;

VICTIM RESTORATION;

YOUTH REDEMPTION.”

Community Protection refers to the right of all Pennsylvania citizens to be and feel safe from crime.

Victim Restoration emphasizes that, in Pennsylvania, a juvenile

who commits a crime harms the victim of the crime and the community, and thereby incurs an obligation to repair that harm

to the greatest extent possible.

Youth Redemption embodies the belief that juvenile offenders in Pennsylvania have strengths, are capable of change, can earn

redemption, and can become responsible and productive members of their communities.

Furthermore, all of the services designed and implemented to achieve this mission and all hearings and decisions under the

Juvenile Act—indeed all aspects of the juvenile justice system— must be provided in a fair and unbiased manner. The United States and Pennsylvania Constitutions guarantee rights and privileges to all citizens, regardless of race, color, creed, gender, national origin

or handicap.