In his letter to the Governor, Judge Workman notes that 15 of 29 juvenile detention centers have closed throughout the state since 2006. At this time, only 14 detention centers with 504 beds are open. At these remaining 14 detention centers, 316 beds are reserved for just 6 counties. This leaves the remaining 61 counties in competition for 188 available beds.
This shortage of facilities also exists at youth detention centers operated by the state Department of Human Services. Though equipped for over 200 beds, only 122 are available, with a wqaiting list of 166 juveniles.
Judge Workman notes that juvenile court judges attempt to exhaust leas restrictive alternatives than retention, but it is necessary for a "very serious offense" in which a delinquent "poses a significant threat to the community." In some instances, judges have ordered house arrest, but there are already 10 instances in which the juveniles committed new offenses or failed to appear.
What's the reason for this problem? According to Judge Workman, salaries paid to juvenile justice center workers are too low. "We hear on a regular basis of college graduates accepting jobs at warehouses, convenience stores and other jobs that offer salaries significantly higher than those agencies and programs working with youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system."
Calling the situation "dire," Judge Workman asserts that courts need to be able to hire quality staff to enable Pennsylvania to meet its statutory obligations with respect to delinquent children.
In addition to Judge Workman's letter, the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services is suggesting (see email below) that detention at its facilities be reduced from 9 to 6 months.
In Northampton County, juvenile justice center workers are currently considering a county offer of a three-year contract that awards a step in year 1, a step in year 2 and 2.5% in Year 3, with no increase in medical costs. That translates to 12.5% over three years. Executive Lamont McClure states it is the most generous contract the county has ever offered. But it is below what corrections officers receive.
McClure believes that the real reason for staffing shortages is the pandemic, not low wages. He notes that people, even in restaurants and other areas of the private sector, are less willing to work in closed environments with others.
He adds that the county should probably charge more to house out-of-county juveniles. The county charges $290 a day to house a non-county juvenile. He is informed that a statewide center being planned in Western Pa will charge $890 a day. Because the county fails to charge adequately, it was forced to contribute $3.5 million for the continued operation of its juvenile justice center. "That's the taxpayer's money," he lamented He believes the fee for other counties who send juveniles should be increased so the county stops losing money.
McClure denied a rumor that he wants to close the juvenile justice center and use the space for work release. He is hopeful that juvenile justice center and the county can reach agreement on wages.
JCJC Letter to Governor Wolf by BernieOHare on Scribd
BJJS Strategy For Juvenile Delinquent Bed Crisis by BernieOHare on Scribd
7 comments:
Maybe you should check some of your facts. First of all no offical offer has been made to the COs . And from what is known through out the county the executive is offering the exact same offer to everyone. So COs get shit and piss thrown at them .Roll around on the ground with HIV and hepatitis C inmate trying to control them. Get Covid from inmates because we can't work from behind plastic. And didnt close during the pandemic. But everyone deserves the same.
The juvenile justice center has been run into the ground for years.And its finally coming to a head. Mr. Green ran it into the ground and now he's the big boss and gonna close it on his watch. What goes around comes around.
McClure replays you like an out of tune piano. Whatever he wants to send taxpayer money on is always great. Like his silly health center. You know he is already in talks about a regional health department. The benefit to staff is the cover to get a positive vote. When it is a plan that is not his, it is always wasting taxpayer money.
He can give his photographer a huge raise when he wants but screw other employees. He wants the juv center to fail. There is a plan for that too.
Of course, all this must be false for your silver-tongued lawyer friend told you so. Some people blindly follow Lynch and others like you follow McClure.
Who in their right mind would want to work in government detention centers-knowing our government the juveniles would be in charge.
Must applicants prove they've received a useless big pharma injection? We probably shouldn't have fired people for this, huh? At the time, however, firing was the least of their problems as human rights advocates spoke out about denying all medical care to the un-shot. Who could have predicted this? About half the country, that's who. Payback is Tuesday. No amnesty for CoViD zealot authoritarians. Investigations and trials are required to assure this never happens to working people again.
Like to know where Lamont and chuck say this is the best contract ever. I can go back and find contracts were it actually showed the county employees they were appreciated. Steps every year plus cost of living added in. No copays, 5 dollar meds. Guessing they think best contract ever if it's not as bad as they planned on screwing the employees.
"Maybe you should check some of your facts. First of all no offical offer has been made to the COs . "
I never said that the COs have received any offer at all. I said that juvenile case workers have received an offer, and my source is the county executive. I'll takethat over an anonymous commenter who does not know how to read.
Bernie I think what you meant to say is the cos starting pay is higher then juvey starting pay.
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