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James RielandJames RielandJames RielandJames Rieland

DirectorDirectorDirectorDirector

Kim Berkeley ClarkKim Berkeley ClarkKim Berkeley ClarkKim Berkeley Clark

Administrative JudgeAdministrative JudgeAdministrative JudgeAdministrative Judge

Allegheny County Juvenile Probation -At A Glance-

Staff

Number of Probation Officers

� Community Based: 46

� School Based: 40

� Intake/Investigation: 15

� Specialty: 9 � Warrant 2

Total 112 Number of Administrators and Supervisors: 39

Number of CISP Program Staff: 78

Number of Support Staff: 52

Number of Hearing Officers: 5

Total Number of Juvenile Probation Staff: 286

Number of Juvenile Court Judges: 9

As of December 31, 2007

Number of juveniles under Court Supervision: 4,824

Average for one day in 2007

Number of Juveniles in Placement � Private Providers 389 � Youth Development Centers 81

� Shuman Detention Center 134

Totals for 2007

Total number of Juvenile Probation Referrals: 5,812

Total Amount of Restitution and Fines Collected: $322,657

Allegheny County

Allegheny County Total Population: 1,281,666

Allegheny County Juvenile Population (ages 10 to 18 years): 130,710

(Source: US Census Bureau 2000)

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of ContentsTable of Contents

Mission Statement ....................................................................................2

Introduction: ..............................................................................................3

Juvenile Probation Statistics ...................................................................5 Referral History ........................................................................................................ 5 Referrals to Juvenile Probation ................................................................................ 6 Shuman Center for Secure Detention ...................................................................... 8 Electronic Home Monitoring / Home Detention ...................................................... 10 Detention Hearings ................................................................................................ 11 Probation Officers .................................................................................................. 12 Special Services Unit (SSU) .................................................................................. 14 Drug and Alcohol Unit ............................................................................................ 15 Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP)................................................ 16 The Academy......................................................................................................... 17 Private Placement Services ................................................................................... 18 State Placements ................................................................................................... 19 Warrant Unit ........................................................................................................... 20 Educational Specialist-Aftercare Initiative .............................................................. 21 WorkBridge ............................................................................................................ 22 Victim Services....................................................................................................... 23

Mediation Project................................................................................................ 23 Case Closing Information....................................................................................... 24 Financial Information.............................................................................................. 25

Judicial Overview....................................................................................26 Judicial Assignments.............................................................................................. 26

Delinquency Petitions .............................................................................27

Ancillary Petitions...................................................................................28 Act 53..................................................................................................................... 28 Mental Health Procedures Act Petitions................................................................. 28

Special Events/Activities/Projects/Committees.....................................29 Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT)................................................................ 29 Statewide Aftercare Initiative.................................................................................. 29 Provider Trips......................................................................................................... 29 Competency Development Workgroup .................................................................. 30 CISP Goes To Congress........................................................................................ 30 Provider Forum ..................................................................................................... 31 Take Your Child to Work Day................................................................................. 31 Probation Officer Workshop and CISP Workshop.................................................. 31 Operation Lights Out .............................................................................................. 31 Juvenile Justice Week............................................................................................ 32 Dennis Maloney Award .......................................................................................... 32 Victim’s Garden...................................................................................................... 32 JCJC Nominations ................................................................................................. 33 Community Education Initiative.............................................................................. 33 Music Festival ........................................................................................................ 33 Website .................................................................................................................. 33

Mission Statement Allegheny County Juvenile Probation

Department The Mission of the Allegheny County Juvenile Probation Depart

To reduce and prevent juvenile crime;

promote and maintain safe communities; and improve the welfare of youth and families who are

served by the court.

The principal beliefs supporting the Mission are: � That the disposition of juvenile offenders always takes into account the best

interest of public safety. � That juvenile offenders be held accountable for the harm they cause to

individuals as well as the community at large. � That the primary objective of treatment is to improve and develop the juvenile

offender’s competency skills. � That community residents and organizations be actively engaged by the court in

a cooperative effort to seek solutions to juvenile crime. � That excellence in the quality of court services requires sensitivity to the racial,

ethnic, and cultural diversity of the client population. � That victims are an integral part of the justice system and should have their

rights protected during all phases of the court proceedings including the right to be heard, notified, and restored.

The Mission of the Allegheny County Juvenile

Probation Department

2007 Juvenile Probation

Annual ReportAnnual ReportAnnual ReportAnnual Report

Introduction:

Last year at this time we were pleased to describe the progress we had made over the preceding ten years in seeing the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice take form and become operational at our Juvenile Court. Today it is with the same degree of pride in this Court and its people that we are able to report that in 2007 we continued to build upon those foundations and further strengthen and refine our efforts in all three areas: community protection, accountability/victim awareness, and competency development. Although not yet concluded two very important projects are nearing completion. The “Single Plan” concept is being finalized and will be implemented in 2008. The Single Plan will replace current stand alone documents (Conditions of Supervision, Balanced and Restorative Justice Case Plan and the Family Service Plan) into one document that will be applicable to youth in the community as well as placement. Secondly, a group of Juvenile Probation Supervisors are working with the National Center for Juvenile Justice to develop a competency skill development assessment and a case planning process. Once completed youth will be directed to the appropriate competency curriculum. In 2004 Pennsylvania was one of four (4) states selected by the McArthur Foundation to participate in their “Models for Change” initiative, the goal of which was to develop methods and pilot programs designed to improve the juvenile justice system in three critical areas: mental health services, aftercare/ re-entry services, and disproportionate minority contact. Our Juvenile Court is one of eight (8) Courts in the state that agreed

to address one or more of these issues and we were the only Court that offered to examine all three. This past year our work in these three areas began in earnest. A Mental Health Protocol Team comprised of various stakeholders, including members of our Probation Department, examined both mental health screening and diversion issues. Our aftercare/re-entry effort focused on the educational transition from community to residential placement and then from placement back to the home school. In collaboration with Philadelphia’s Juvenile Court we submitted a grant request to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the MacArthur Foundation for the creation of Reintegration Specialists for each of our Courts who will seek to improve both the educational/academic transition process, as well as the development of vocational training opportunities while in placement that will have transfer value back home. In order to better understand and analyze the disproportionate number of minority youth coming in contact with the juvenile justice system two efforts got underway: one to administer a risk assessment of all youth who are referred for pre-adjudication secure detention, and another to scrutinize those youth who have had to be removed from residential placements due to “failure to adjust.” The year ended with another very promising initiative on the near horizon, this involving delinquency prevention, and in particular, the replication here in Allegheny County of a highly successful Toronto, Canada program entitled S.N.A.P. (Stop Now And Plan) that targets identified high risk boys in the 6-11 year age range. At the beginning of 2007 a Steering Committee comprised of representatives from our Court administration, the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Social Ventures Partners and the United Way was formed to manage and oversee the development of this program here in Allegheny County. By the conclusion of the year the Steering Committee had obtained sufficient funding from local foundations to begin a two-year pilot project, had selected two local private youth service providers to operate the program, and had arranged for their staff training. The program was projected for start-up in January 2008. It is common, and can be seen from the 2007 highlights just described, that we have a lot of “irons in the fire” at the conclusion of one year that carry over to the next. When these are added to the unexpected challenges that always arise in the new year the tasks we face look daunting, and we are sure that 2008 will prove to be no exception. That year after year we are able to rise to these challenges is the reason that this Court has achieved and retained its national reputation as one of the most progressive Courts in the country.

Juvenile Probation Statistics REFERRAL HISTORY

Yearly Comparison 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 242 281 297 288 287

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON TEACHER 112 104 124 179 245

ARSON 26 12 20 34 31

AUTO THEFT RELATED 206 425 396 368 202

BURGLARY 278 345 353 272 253

CARJACKING 9 15 10 9 14

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF / INSTITUTIONAL VANDALISM 62 109 115 126 105

CRIMINAL/DEFIANT TRESPASS 85 98 108 114 94

DISORDERLY CONDUCT 99 104 113 143 90

DRUG CHARGES (INCLUDING CRACK) 534 343 614 642 630

DUI 43 28 24 40 32

ESCAPE 14 12 16 20 10

ETHNIC INTIMIDATION 1 3 3 4 4

FAILURE TO ADJUST ALLEGATIONS 328 308 381 489 430

FIREARM UNLICENSED OR POSSESSION

65 79 98 121 114

HARASSMENT 26 46 31 25 30

NONPAYMENT OF FINES 623 880 1,454 1,082 834

RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 237 136 148 111 156

RETAIL THEFT 46 15 46 66 83

ROBBERY & RELATED 193 203 188 213 256

SEX OFFENSES 98 77 97 100 90

SIMPLE ASSAULT 623 598 555 489 519

TERRORISTIC THREATS 156 165 148 126 159

THEFT & RELATED (CONSPIRACY/ATTEMPT) 289 131 153 141 184

TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER COUNTY 125 124 115 117 95

VIOLATION OF PROBATION ALLEGATIONS

275 262 356 401 397

WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY 128 119 144 188 166

ALL OTHER CHARGES 410 670 242 282 302

TOTAL REFERRALS 5,333 5,692 6,349 6,190 5,812

REFERRALS TO JUVENILE PROBATION 2007 Referrals MALE FEMALE

Most Serious Charge Black White Other Total Black White Other Total TOTAL

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT 139 37 2 178 91 16 2 109 287 AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON TEACHER 136 12 3 151 86 7 1 94 245 ARSON 10 16 1 27 3 1 0 4 31

AUTO THEFT RELATED 132 42 3 177 11 14 0 25 202

BURGLARY 141 83 10 234 9 10 0 19 253 CARJACKING 14 0 0 14 0 0 0 0 14 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF / INSTITUTIONAL VANDALISM 19 76 0 95 6 4 0 10 105 CRIMINAL/DEFIANT TRESPASS 60 20 2 82 8 3 1 12 94

DISORDERLY CONDUCT 36 13 0 49 31 9 1 41 90 DRUG CHARGES (INCLUDING CRACK) 355 188 10 553 30 45 2 77 630

DUI 1 25 0 26 0 6 0 6 32

ESCAPE 7 2 0 9 0 1 0 1 10

ETHNIC INTIMIDATION 3 0 0 3 0 1 0 1 4 FAILURE TO ADJUST ALLEGATIONS 323 48 4 375 45 9 1 55 430 FIREARM UNLICENSED OR POSSESSION 95 14 2 111 3 0 0 3 114

HARASSMENT 14 3 0 17 9 3 1 13 30

NONPAYMENT OF FINES 377 139 13 529 203 81 21 305 834 RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY 63 64 3 130 15 11 0 26 156

RETAIL THEFT 21 5 0 26 40 16 1 57 83

ROBBERY & RELATED 199 31 2 232 18 3 3 24 256

SEX OFFENSES 51 33 4 88 2 0 0 2 90

SIMPLE ASSAULT 215 128 1 344 124 48 3 175 519

TERRORISTIC THREATS 57 55 2 114 33 12 0 45 159 THEFT & RELATED (CONSPIRACY/ATTEMPT) 72 77 1 150 17 17 0 34 184 TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER COUNTY 38 33 1 72 11 10 2 23 95 VIOLATION OF PROBATION ALLEGATIONS 237 74 4 315 67 14 1 82 397 WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY 55 37 3 95 53 14 4 71 166

ALL OTHER CHARGES 131 90 3 224 45 31 2 78 302

TOTAL REFERRALS 3,001 1,345 74 4,420 960 386 46 1,392 5,812

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Referral by Gender

Male Female

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Referral by Race

White African American Other

Admission by Gender

84%

16%

Male Female

SHUMAN CENTER FOR SECURE DETENTION

Juveniles are detained at Shuman Detention Center when necessary to protect the community. Shuman Center has a licensed capacity of 130 beds.

2,000

2,200

2,400

2,600

2,800

3,000

3,200

3,400

3,600

3,800

Shuman Admissions

Admissions: 3,536 3,341 3,537 3,646 3,310 3,193

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

1,700

1,750

1,800

1,850

1,900

1,950

2,000

Unduplicated Shuman Admissions

Admissions: 1,859 1,805 1,914 1,954 1,937 1,956

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Admission by Age

1%64%

35%

12 & Under

13 to 15

16 & Over

Admission by Race

1%

81%

18%

Black White

Other

DETENTION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM The Detention Alternative Program is designed to divert from secure detention juveniles between the ages of ten to fourteen years of age charged with a delinquent act that otherwise would justify placement in secure detention. In addition to intense in-home mentoring services for the juvenile and family, the Detention Alternative Program maintains community safety through strict community supervision and monitored school attendance. This short-term program is designed to provide services primarily before the adjudication hearing. The Probation Department contracts with two community organizations to provide these services.

0102030405060708090

2004 2005 2006 2007

Gender

Detention Alternatives

Female

Male

0102030405060708090

2004 2005 2006 2007

Race

Detention Alternatives

Other

White

African American

ELECTRONIC HOME MONITORING / HOME DETENTION

Electronic Home Monitoring and Home Detention are alternatives to keeping juveniles in Shuman Center. Theses services are also used to enhance supervision of youth placed in the Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP) and The Academy. This program is operated by the Probation Department.

Referrals 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

EHM 370 390 409 554 479

EHM High Risk 201 215 259 337 276

Home Detention 370 383 446 452 380

HD High Risk 110 86 120 227 278

Sanctions 203 150 221 328 348

Total Referrals 1,254 1,224 1,455 1,898 1,761

2005 2006 2007 Discharges

Total % Successful Total %

Successful Total % Successful

EHM 425 76% 552 80% 449 84%

EHM High Risk 242 79% 304 76% 270 81%

Home Detention 465 77% 414 77% 370 72%

HD High Risk 94 69% 196 69% 262 69%

Sanctions 240 90% 320 86% 336 89%

Total Discharges 1,466 80% 1,786 78% 1,687 78%

Referrals

16%

16%

20%

22%

26%EHM

EHM High Risk

Home Detention

HD High Risk

Sanctions

Referral Comparison

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

DETENTION HEARINGS

There were 2,723 Detention Hearings during 2007. The results of those hearings can be seen below:

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Released toParent's Control -w/o condition

Released toParent's Control -EHM / HD

Remain at Shuman

Detention Hearings 2007

Released to Electronic

Monitoring (EHM)18%

Released10%

Released House Arrest

3%

Released to Home Detention

15%Detained

54%

PROBATION OFFICERS

Commonly referred to as the backbone of Juvenile Court, Probation Officers are responsible for supervising offenders, holding them accountable to repay victims and restore communities, and for providing them with opportunities to develop competency skills. The Intake and Investigations Departments are responsible for new referrals to Juvenile Court. These units are comprised of sixteen Probation Officers and two Supervisors. In addition, there are five Intake Probation Officers located in the Community and School Based Offices. On December 31, 2007 these Probation Officers were processing 1,473 intake cases. Community-Based Probation Officers are responsible for supervising the largest percentage of juvenile offenders under the jurisdiction of the Court. As of December 31, 2007, thirty-seven Community-Based Probation Officers in seven geographically dispersed supervisory units were working with an average caseload of forty-two juveniles in a broad range of categories (see chart below).

Community Based Probation Caseload

20% 20%

4%

51%

5%

Probation Private Placement Consent Decree State Placement Day Treatment

Community-Based Probation Officers are tasked with protecting the community, restoring victims and communities, and helping youth develop competencies that will make them productive and responsible citizens. To accomplish these goals, Community-Based Probation Officers work closely with parents, schools, law enforcement, and various community organizations. Community-Based Probation Officers continue to carry a heavy load for the department. School-Based Probation includes forty Probation Officers in six supervisory units and a Coordinator. With Probation Officers in twelve city schools and twenty-one school districts, the Allegheny County Juvenile Probation’s School-Based program is the largest in the state and is believed to be the largest in the nation. School-Based Probation Officers typically manage an average caseload of approximately twenty-seven cases, providing daily supervision to youth. On December 31, 2007 School-Based Probation Officers were supervising 1,009 juveniles.

School Based Probation Officers as of December 31, 2007

Pittsburgh School District Allderdice ………… 2 Probation Officers Arsenal ………… 1 Probation Officer Brashear/South Hill MS ………… 2 Probation Officers Carrick ………… 2 Probation Officers Clayton ………… 1 Probation Officer

Langley ………… 2 Probation Officers

McNaugher ………… 1 Probation Officer Oliver ………… 2 Probation Officers Peabody ………… 2 Probation Officers Perry ………… 1 Probation Officer Schenley ………… 1 Probation Officer Student Achievement Center ………… 3 Probation Officers Westinghouse ………… 1 Probation Officers Other Schools in Allegheny County Baldwin ………… 1 Probation Officer Chartiers Valley ………… 1 Probation Officer Fox Chapel ………… 1 Probation Officer Hampton / Pine Richland ………… 1 Probation Officer Highlands ………… 1 Probation Officer Keystone Oaks ………… 1 Probation Officer McKeesport High School ………… 2 Probation Officers Moon / West Allegheny ………… 1 Probation Officer North Allegheny ………… 1 Probation Officer North Hills ………… 1 Probation Officer Penn Hills ………… 1 Probation Officer Shaler ………… 1 Probation Officer Steel Valley ………… 1 Probation Officer Sto-Rox High School ………… 1 Probation Officer West Mifflin ………… 1 Probation Officer Wilkinsburg ………… 1 Probation Officer Woodland Hills Jr./Sr. High ………… 2 Probation Officers

SPECIAL SERVICES UNIT (SSU)

The SSU supervises and provides specialized treatment services for adjudicated sexual offenders. Through community monitoring and intensive individual and group counseling, the SSU works with juveniles who are in the community on probation and with juveniles on aftercare following release from a residential facility. The unit consists of a supervisor, five Specialist Probation Officers providing community based and aftercare services, and one Intake Probation Officer who handles sex related intake referrals for non-detained juveniles. SSU/WPIC Program Since 1998, the SSU has collaborated with Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic (WPIC) to provide enhanced services to first time and less serious sex offenders placed on probation. Juveniles in the program undergo an initial assessment and participate in weekly clinical sessions conducted by WPIC. In addition, these youth are closely supervised by SSU Probation Officers and attend weekly group sessions run by SSU Probation Officers. Family involvement is also an important component of the program. SSU Probation Officers and WPIC clinicians meet regularly to discuss the best course of action for each offender involved in the program.

2007 Aftercare Recidivism

New Non-Sexual Offense

7%

New Sexual Offense

0%

No New Offenses93%

SSU Juveniles Served

0

50

100

150

200

250

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Education

Aftercare

Community

DRUG AND ALCOHOL UNIT

The Drug and Alcohol Unit consists of four Specialist Probation Officers, two Intake Probation Officers and a Supervisor. The Intake Officers are responsible for processing drug and alcohol related intake referrals for non-detained juveniles. Three community based Drug and Alcohol Intensive Supervision Probation Officers maintain a caseload of juveniles that have been identified as abusing drugs and/or alcohol. The Aftercare Probation Officer works intensively with juveniles who are re-entering the community after being released from a residential drug and alcohol treatment facility. In addition to working closely with the juvenile and their family, these specialists conduct individual and group assessments, facilitate the victim awareness curriculum, the Parent Survival Skills Training (PSST), and the Coffee House Nation (CHN). Parent Survival Skills Training (PSST) is designed to empower parents who have been held hostage by their teenage substance abusers. The group is open to any parent in Allegheny County and is currently being offered six times per month at three different locations: Wilkinsburg, Greentree and Wexford. This group offers support, skill building, suggestions, ideas and education. In 2007, 130 new parents were referred to PSST and 75 families attended the PSST group regularly. The parents who attended PSST created and maintain an informational web blog that is open for public viewing and input at www.gopsst.org. We have come to believe that the parents that attend PSST become stronger parents. Stronger parents can better help their teenager to make good decisions about drugs and alcohol.

0

100

200

300

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

D & A AssessmentsIndividualAssessments

GroupAssessments

Assessment Results

0

50

100

150

200

250

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

ChemicallyDependent

Abusers

Users

Coffee House Nation (CHN) was started in early 2007 as a sober-fun activity group. Its membership consists of juveniles in recovery from serious addiction. In general, these youth have trouble developing relationships independently and often gravitate to old friends. By creating this alternative, members can have a safe place to make friendships with other positive peers in recovery. In addition, teens early in recovery need to relearn how to have sober-fun. This group helps them learn how to do that by

attending monthly meetings, planning social events and having fun. At the same time, part of their recovery is giving back to the community. The members of CHN are asked to speak to a variety of community groups. Once the members have significant clean time and are stable, they speak to small groups and deliver their often very powerful message.

COMMUNITY INTENSIVE SUPERVISION PROGRAM (CISP)

The Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP) is operated by Juvenile Probation and in 2007 completed its seventeenth year of operation. It is designed to reduce the need for juveniles to be removed from their homes and placed in a residential program, yet still provide close supervision. The program also provides aftercare services for male offenders who are returning to the community after placement. In 2007 there were a total of 239 youth committed to the CISP program and 202 youth discharged as follows:

Commitments Discharges Center Total % Total %

Garfield 58 24% 47 23% Hill District 42 18% 33 16% Homewood 50 21% 41 20% McKeesport 27 11% 19 9% Wilkinsburg 62 26% 62 31%

Total 239 202

Discharge History

0

50

100

150

200

250

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Other

Negative

Positive

Since its inception, CISP has continued to engage the community and has developed strong ties. CISP routinely perform community service projects like cleaning streets and lots, painting, distributing community newspapers, shoveling snow, cutting grass, set up and clean up at community festivals. Additionally, they visit nursing homes and assist senior citizens in getting out to vote on Election Day.

CISP has held an annual car wash to raise money and awareness about victim issues for the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime for seven years. This year CISP was able to wash cars and donate $1,600.00 to them. CISP participates in many innovating projects. This year a writer from the Post Gazette wrote a series of articles entitled, “ The Invisible Men: Many young black males are in Crisis”. These articles featured the successes of young black men who are most at risk and reveal how they live in society. Many of our CISP youth participated in this on going series and were very active in development of the news article.

THE ACADEMY

When a juvenile does not reside in a Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP) neighborhood and the Court determines that the juvenile is in need of day treatment programming, the juvenile may be ordered to participate in The Academy program. This program is structured similar to the CISP program operated by Juvenile Probation. However, because these juveniles reside throughout the county, this program provides transportation both to and from the program site.

Academy Discharges

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Negative

Positive

The Academy Juveniles At Risk Program (AJAR) The AJAR Program is a parnership between the Academy, the Court, WPIC, and Human Services Administration Organization (HASO) that provides mental health services for adjudicated youth committed to the Academy Day Treatment program. Youth are typically referred to AJAR by Probation Officers or Academy staff who believe mental health treatment may be necessary. All youth referred to AJAR receive a psychiatric assessment and an evaluation regarding their mental health needs. Youth with more intensive mental health needs are placed in the AJAR program, while those with less intensive needs are referred for community-based health treatment.

Youth in the AJAR Program receive a host of services including individual, group, and family therapy. A psychiatrist is available to prescribe and monitor medication if necessary. In addition, probation officers and HSAO case managers work together to ensure that, when necessary, youth receive follow up mental health services upon release from the Academy.

PRIVATE PLACEMENT SERVICES

The majority of Allegheny County youth in placement reside in non-secure settings. During 2007 there was an average of 389 youth in private placement on any given day.

The chart below shows the number of youth in placement on the last day of each month. The months of January and February show the highest number of youth is placement during 2007.

Number of Youth in Placement on Last Day of Month

320

340

360

380

400

420

440

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

2005 2006 2007

Average Youth in Placement

350

370

390

410

430

450

470

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

STATE PLACEMENTS

When necessary to protect the community, juveniles may be placed facilities operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. These are either secure facilities or Youth Forestry Camps located throughout the Commonwealth. During 2007, there were 124 juveniles placed and 136 juveniles discharged.

Placements / Discharges

02468

101214161820

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Placed Discharged

There were 92 juveniles in placement at the beginning of the year and 74 in placement at the end of the year. The average number of juveniles in placement for 2007 was 81.

Youth in State Placement on last day of the Month

50

70

90

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

2004 2005 2006 2007

WARRANT UNIT

The Warrant Unit began operations in 2004 with the goal of improving community protection. The Warrant Unit is comprised of Probation Officers, Supervisors, and Administrators who have full-time responsibilities in addition to their Warrant Unit activities. The Unit works closely with local law enforcement, particularly the City of Pittsburgh Police Department and the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Department, to actively pursue offenders who have absconded, failed to appear for Court, or violated the conditions of supervision. Through December 31, 2007, over 95% of those sought by the Warrant Unit have been apprehended and detained at Shuman pending a Court appearance.

Warrant Unit Results

Still AWOL2%

Turned in by Parents after WU Sweep

11%

Apprehended43%

Subsequently Located by

Police44%

Additionally, the Warrant Unit has confiscated numerous assault weapons, handguns, ammunition, illicit narcotics, and gang paraphernalia.

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST-AFTERCARE INITIATIVE

Focus on Education Focusing on education reintegration, the Probation Department continues to play a significant role in the statewide aftercare initiative that began in 2005. Juveniles returning from court ordered residential placements face many challenges when they transition back to their communities. A prompt and successful return to the home school is among the most critical elements of successful reintegration. Through a PCCD grant, the Probation Department continues to employ three Education Specialists dedicated to the goal of improving school reintegration. The Education Specialists work closely with host and home school staff, Probation Officers, and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, addressing issues such as credit recovery, curriculum alignment, and credit transfer. This year the Education Specialists began facilitating “Reintegration Meetings” where probation officers, residential staff, home school staff, juveniles, and parents address education issues thirty to forty-five days before the anticipated release from the residential facility. While much remains to be done, the work of the Education Specialists’ has enabled a more seamless transition to the home school. The statewide aftercare initiative has led to a second grant-funded project combining the school reintegration efforts of Allegheny and Philadelphia counties, the two largest counties in the state. Partnering with residential providers, school administrators, career and technical leaders, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Allegheny/Philadelphia project seeks to establish statewide academic and career and technical standards for juveniles entering and exiting residential placement, regardless of their home counties.

WORKBRIDGE

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Number of Referrals Received:

1,515

Total Number of youth that service was provided to: 1,495

Average age of the youth referred: 15.5

Average Number of hours ordered:

50

Total Value to community: $407,555 Number of CS Sites: 2,019 Number of Positive discharges: 1,387 Retention: 97%

Hours of Community Service

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

STIPEND COMPONENT:

Number of referrals received: 327 Number of successful discharges:

284

Community Service Hours: 8,736 Restitution Paid on behalf of Stipend: $37,129

COMMUNITY REPAIR CREW:

Number of referrals: 50 Number of Youth served:

48

Average Age: 16.7 Number of positive discharges: 46

Community Service Referrals

1380

1400

1420

1440

1460

1480

1500

1520

1540

2004 2005 2006 2007

EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE: Number of Referrals Received: 283 Total Number of youth that service was provided to: 256

Average age of the youth referred: 16.10

Number of Positive discharges: 183 Average Number of days each youth was in Program: 233

Retention: 91% Number of Paid Employment Sites:

658

Restitution Collected: $41,547

Restitution Collected

$0

$10,000

$20,000

$30,000

$40,000

$50,000

$60,000

2004 2005 2006 2007

VICTIM SERVICES

Victims of juvenile offenders are entitled to many rights in the Juvenile Justice System. In order to provide these services to victims of juvenile offenders, Juvenile Probation has established contracts with both the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime (CVVC) and Pittsburgh Action against Rape (PAAR).

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

CVVC Comprehensive Victim Services

Victims Witnesses Significant Others

80

100

120

140

2004 2005 2006 2007

PAAR Comprehensive Victim Services

MEDIATION PROJECT

During 2007, Allegheny County Juvenile Probation referred 116 cases to the Victim Offender Mediation (VOM) program, which involved 132 victims and 133 juvenile offenders. There were 20 individual pre-mediation caucuses, and 9 mediations. All cases but one that went to final mediation were successfully completed. Allegheny County Juvenile Probation also collaborates with the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime to provide neighborhood-based community accountability panels better known as CAP. These panels are comprised of community members who volunteer to meet with first time offenders who admit to a crime to discuss the offense. The panels hold young offenders accountable for their actions and determine an appropriate and/or specific restitution. The CAP Program operates in the communities of Duquesne, Wilkinsburg and McKeesport.

-20

30

80

130

180

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Referrals

Victims

Offenders

CASE CLOSING INFORMATION

During 2007 information was reported for 1,757 youth whose cases were closed.

Case Closing Information 2007

Number of Cases Closed 1,757

Average Length of Supervision: Probation

19 months

Average Length of Supervision: Consent Decree 8.54 months

Accountability Factors

Number of Youth

Ordered Amount Ordered

Amount Completed/ Paid

% That Completed/ Paid in Full

% That Completed/ Paid 50% or

more

Community Service Hours 1,199 77,239 Hours 80,383 Hours* 95% 97%

Restitution 610 $314,671 $239,185 79% 82%

Completed the three hour Victim Awareness Curriculum

1,104 63% 1,092 99%

Public Safety Number of

Youth

% Of Closed Cases

Skill Building Number of Youth

% of Closed Cases

Violation of Probation 226 12.9%

New Adjudication 236 13.4%

* Youth perform Community Service over and above the amount ordered by the Court.

Attending School, Vocational Program, or

GED Training or Employed at time of Case Closing

1,097 62.4%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007Paid Full Restiutution Completed all Community Service No New Adjudications

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Administrative Services Department is designated as the fiscal support service to the Juvenile Probation system. The unit is comprised of one Supervisor and four staff positions. Administrative Services is responsible for processing payroll information for 286 full and part-time staff with $12,837,004 paid in salaries and benefits for Probation’s operational staff, the Community Intensive Supervision Program (CISP), the Electronic Monitoring staff, and the School Based Program staff. There are five budgets, the largest of which includes the placement costs for delinquent youth, totaling more than $41,100,000. The department also monitors several grant-funded projects that interface with state and federal funding sources. In addition, the Administrative Services Department is also responsible for all reports and distribution of restitution and fines collected by Probation Officers. During 2007 a total $322,657 was collected and dispersed. Every effort is made to have a youth pay in full their obligations. If a youth does not comply with his restitution obligation, the department is responsible for indexing the judgment with the Department of Court Records (formerly the Prothonotary’s Office) when the youth turns 21 years of age.

Funds Collected

$40,571

$214,120

$9,676$1,282

$14,101

$9,692

$27,889

$5,326

Restitution Victim Compensation Fund

Stipend Fund Substance Abuse Fund

DNA Fund Victim Curriculum

Crime Lab Other

Judicial Overview Allegheny County Juvenile Court is the Juvenile Section of the Family Division of the Court of Common Pleas. There are four Judges who exclusively hear Juvenile Court cases and five Judges who hear cases from both the Juvenile Section and Adult Section of the Family Division. The Court also has one delinquency Hearing Officer and four dependency Hearing Officers. The Judges are responsible for hearing both Juvenile Probation/delinquency cases and Children Youth and Family/dependency cases.

JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENTS As of December 31, 2007 Judge Kim Berkeley Clark, Administrative Judge

Judges: • Edward Borkowski (1/07 – 10/07) • Guido A. DeAngelis • Thomas Flaherty • Kathryn M. Hens-Greco • Alan D. Hertzberg • Kathleen R. Mulligan • Jill E. Rangos • Dwayne D. Woodruff

Chief Hearing Officer: • Cynthia Franklin

Delinquency Hearing Officer:

• Robert Banos

Dependency Hearing Officers: • James Alter • Mark Cancilla • Carla Hobson

Court Schedule Delinquency cases are scheduled every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Dependency cases are scheduled on Wednesday and Friday. Dual cases (a youth is both delinquent and dependent) are scheduled on Mondays. Shelter hearings are scheduled every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. Detention hearings are scheduled every day at Shuman Center. A monthly Court calendar is published on the Court’s website: http://www.alleghenycourts.us/docupost/juvenile_calendar.asp

Delinquency Petitions

There were a total of 3,545 petitions alleging delinquency filed with the Court during 2007. This is a decrease of 817 petitions from the total number filed during 2006.

2007 Delinquency Petitions

050

100150200250300350400

Janu

ary

Febru

ary

Mar

chApr

ilM

ayJu

ne July

Augus

t

Septe

mbe

r

Octobe

r

Novem

ber

Decem

ber

Delinquency Petitions History

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Ancillary Petitions

ACT 53

Act 53 legislation, enacted in 1997, provides for Court ordered drug and alcohol treatment for minors who are neither delinquent nor dependent. The legislation empowers the Court, upon a petition filed by the guardian, to involuntarily commit minors to treatment programs. The Act 53 process is a collaboration between Allegheny County Juvenile Court and the Drug and Alcohol Services Unit of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. Available to all guardians in Allegheny County with minors between the ages of 12 and 18, the Act 53 process facilitates treatment for those unwilling or unable to participate on their own. The process has helped many juveniles avoid involvement in the dependency or delinquency system.

MENTAL HEALTH PROCEDURES ACT PETITIONS

Juvenile Section Judges also hear Mental Health Procedures Act petitions for youth requiring in patient mental health treatment. This process is coordinated with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services – Office of Behavioral Health.

Mental Health Hearings Comparison

77

148124

165183 191

114

70 56 45

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Act 53 Cases

Special Events/Activities/Projects/Committees

CRITICAL INCIDENT RESPONSE TEAM (CIRT)

As a result of the critical incident policy, which went into effect near the end of last year, the CIRT was established. This policy was the brainchild of the court's safety committee as well as administration who effectively identified this as a need for our court. Critical incident training has been conducted over the last few years with the most recent occurring in December, 2007. The team is comprised of both juvenile and adult probation officers as well as the CISP staff and there are over 20 current members who are committed to this effort. The CIRT meets every other month and although we are still in the organizing stages, we are fully prepared to respond to a crisis. CIRT is one of those entities that although we hope we never need it, it is there if we do.

STATEWIDE AFTERCARE INITIATIVE

Allegheny County maintains an active statewide role in advancing Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice goals of community protection, offender accountability, and competency development. Working closely with The National Center for Juvenile Justice and others across the state, the department significantly improved its ability to assess and address factors that put juveniles at risk to re-offend. Progress continues on the development of a “Comprehensive Probation Plan” that will direct the activities of the probation officer, the juvenile, and others toward achieving the juvenile justice goals highlighted throughout this annual report.

PROVIDER TRIPS

Day Trips to Provider agencies continued to be high on the priority list for Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Administrators, during 2007. Because our judges had, in recent years, visited so many of the Residential Programs used as resources for the delinquent and dependent youth who appear before them, the concentration shifted a little to non-residential and ancillary service provider visits. Our judges did manage to visit 11 separate campuses, encompassing at least 20 different programming services, however. A 2-day trip was

taken to Central Pennsylvania in the spring; and a 3-day trip was taken during the fall months to Northeastern and several more Central Pennsylvania program, both private and publicly funded facilities. Non-residential and community-based services took the focus on several of the day trips. Judges visited Family Support Centers in Northview Heights and the Hill District, Juvenile Probation Offices and CISP Centers in McKeesport, two local Women’s Shelters where battered women and their children reside and are cared for, a state-of-the-art competency development juvenile training program in the Lehigh Valley, and the PA State Police records repository and identification center in Harrisburg.

Day-long trips and their associated travel time between facilities allow for impromptu meeting time among bench members during which unique Courtroom experiences are shared and policies are discussed. Judges and administrators alike enjoy discussion of system issues and camaraderie during informal downtime. .

COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT WORKGROUP

In a continuing effort to implement the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice, Allegheny County Juvenile Probation initiated the Competency Development Workgroup in March of 2006. Juvenile Probation, in collaboration with National Center for Juvenile Justice (NCJJ) are meeting to develop guidelines and programs within Allegheny County that will enhance a youth’s development in five domains: Pro-social skills, Moral Reasoning, Academics, Workforce Development and Independent Living Skills.

CISP GOES TO CONGRESS

Supervision Program (CISP) graduate, was asked to testify before the Committee on Education and Labor at the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities joint hearing with the Judiciary Security Subcommittee entitled, “Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act: Overview and Perspectives.” A delegation of youth and CISP staff made the trip to Washington, DC.

This invitation was an unique experience and inspired the young men who were fortunate enough to be chosen for this opportunity. After testifying on Capitol Hill staff and youth had the opportunity to meet with Senator Robert Casey, Jr. and Congressman Michael Doyle.

PROVIDER FORUM

In April 2007, Allegheny County sponsored a Provider Forum. Representatives from Allegheny County’s providers gathered at St. Paul’s Retreat Center for a forum hosted by Juvenile Probation. The forum served as both a refresher and new information course.

TAKE YOUR CHILD TO WORK DAY

On April 27, 2007, Allegheny County Probation sponsored their eighth annual Take Your Child to Work Day. Over 80 children of employees attended a full day of activities to teach the children about Juvenile and Adult Probation. The day ended with the ever-popular mock trail.

PROBATION OFFICER WORKSHOP AND CISP WORKSHOP In addition to the numerous training opportunities extended to all employees, in 2007 two separate all day workshops/retreats were held to enhance staff’s skills. Each was unique in their own way and reinforced to staff how important each and every person is to making Juvenile Probation run in an efficient manner.

OPERATION LIGHTS OUT

To enhance relationships between the communities and law enforcement officials, Juvenile Probation sponsored the first Operation Light’s Out. Twenty-three Juvenile Probation Officers accompanied local police officers on ride-alongs and surprise visits to youth under supervision, throughout Allegheny County to increase their visibility and ensure a feeling of safety in the community.

JUVENILE JUSTICE WEEK

In October, the Community Education Initiative sponsored a number of events to celebrate Juvenile Justice Week. The week kicked off with BARJ into your Lives Day, Tuesday the Juvenile Probation “How to be Professional in an Unprofessional World” forum was held. On Wednesday over 500 students visited Juvenile Probation’s Open House. At Thursday evening’s ceremony, Amy Roenker received the Probation Officer Rookie of the Year award and Ivelies Sberio-Brown received the Support Staff Person of the Year award. In addition, essay contest winners were recognized as well as the Parent of the Year.

DENNIS MALONEY AWARD

The first “Dennis Maloney” Award was presented to Supervisor John Fiscante and his McKeesport CISP staff. Dennis Maloney, was one of the creators of Balanced and Restorative Justice, who died tragically in 2007. The winner of this award was judged on their community involvement work and supervision of offenders in competency development endeavors.

VICTIM’S GARDEN

In colloboration with the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime and the Pittsburgh Action Against Rape organizations a garden was planted in memory of all the victims that have gone through Allegheny County Juvenile Court. Youth from the CISP program planted the garden with direction from Probation Officer Scott McMurdy, who is also a landscraper. A dedication ceremony was held in October.

JCJC NOMINATIONS

Congratulations to the following Allegheny County Juvenile Probation nominees: Supervisor of the Year : John Fiscante Probation Officer of the Year : David Mink Support Person of the Year : Cindy Davis Court-Operated Program of the Year : Community Education Initiative, Connie Przybyla, Chairperson, Ray Bauer, George Kinder, Tom O’Connor, Jamie Bendik, Jessica Smerkol, Jim Miller, Melissa Ferraro, Randi Brand, Ron McKeever, Val Ketter, Alena Leybovich, Earnest Frazier, Nate Almond and Avis Beck

COMMUNITY EDUCATION INITIATIVE

The Community Education Initiative was formed in 2003. Its mission is to educate the communities of Allegheny County to become aware of and identify opportunities to assist Juvenile Probation’s efforts to implement the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice: Community Protection, Victim Awareness and Youth Competencies. In 2007 the committee sponsored Operation Light’s Out, the Recipes for Restitution cookbook, which raised $1000 for victims, the Talent Show, which raised another $500 for victims and in collaboration with CVVC and PAAR created the Victim’s Garden located at the entrance of Juvenile Court. In addition the initiative sponsored numerous events throughout the year.

MUSIC FESTIVAL

Juvenile Probation staff once again volunteered at the annual Allegheny County Music Festival. This festival is dedicated to raising funds and/or seeking goods and materials to enhance the quality of life for needy children in Allegheny County. Over the last eight years, approximately $200,000 has been raised from this concert to help the children of Allegheny County.

WEBSITE

For more information and downloads visit the Allegheny County Probation website at: http://www.alleghenycourts.us/family/juvenile/juvenile.asp

Organizational Chart

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