By Tricia Pursell
The Daily Item
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MIDDLEBURG — Community volunteers are trained and ready to give kids who break the law in Snyder County a second chance, and to bring justice to those who have been victimized by the non-violent crimes the juveniles committed.
One of the goals of the new Youth Accountablity Program, according to Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch, is to help kids who are first-time offenders get the help they need so they don’t commit other crimes.
“If we can nip some of these behaviors in the bud, then we will avoid seeing some of these kids in juvenile or adult court later on,” said Piecuch, who through his work as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia saw the success of similar programs.
The district attorney’s office worked alongside the county’s juvenile probation department, the Victim/Witness Program and the Court of Common Pleas to institute the program, which began accepting cases this month.
Eleven community members, including an assistant principal, guidance counselor, Susquehanna University professor, bank executive and business owner, have expressed interest in helping the kids, said Kristen Picarella, juvenile probation supervisor. Her colleague, Kevin Solomon, did much of the legwork to get the program off the ground.
These community volunteers, Picarella said, will be asking questions of the child and the child’s family, obtaining background information that may help to pinpoint problem areas that may have led to the child’s criminal behavior, such as financial problems, drug and alcohol issues or domestic violence. They will be equipped with a list of resources they can offer the families.
“When you help the family, you’re ultimately helping the child,” Picarella said.
In addition, the volunteers, who have undergone an application process and training, will each be assigned to monitor a juvenile’s progress under the direct support of juvenile probation officers.
To participate in the program, a juvenile must admit involvement in the incident and enter into a contract with a panel of community volunteers. The contract may include assignments such as performing community service, making restitution to victims, writing essays or reports, counseling and drug and alcohol testing. Parental cooperation is required.
Picarella said she hopes the program will target children as young as 10. Many are committing non-violent crimes such as property offenses, she said. The program will consider first-time juvenile offenders who have committed misdemeanors and non-violent felonies.
“If we can do a diversion program through this, and avoid them coming through the system and avoid any recidivism, it will be well worth it,” she said.
According to Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk, it is difficult to calculate the cost to counties and the state for repeat offenders who walk through the “revolving door” of prison. But it’s not a small price.
“If you can stop that cycle early on with programs like this, the opportunity is not only for affecting that person’s life so they can be a positive contributor to society, but they won’t be a burden on the court system,” he said.
Juveniles who are repeat offenders, as a last resort, are placed in facilities at cost to the county. Derk said the price for a placement can range from several hundred dollars to as high as $10,000 a month, depending on the security and care needed for a particular individual.
The vision for the accountability program began with former District Attorney and now Judge Michael Sholley.
“He’s the person that was responsible for getting it going,” said Craig Fasold, chief probation officer, who added that the county is fortunate to have Piecuch, experienced with such programs, to take charge of implementing it.
In addition, much information was gleaned from Union County’s Youth Aid Commission, which has seen much success since beginning a similar program.
“They eliminated a lot of kids coming through the juvenile justice system there,” Picarella said.
The community involvement, Piecuch said, is a crucial element in making the program work.
The juvenile court process usually is “shrouded in mystery,” he said, because of required confidentiality for each offender. But now, community members can “pull the veil back” and have a direct role in not only protecting their community, but in helping kids and holding them accountable.
It’s no longer about just telling the kids to stay out of trouble. Instead, they will be told, “You’re going to have to be a more active participant in this,” Piecuch said. “It’s really a rehabilitative program in its truest sense.”
They will become part of the solution and will be given opportunities for achievement.
“We’re hoping to see improvements in their skills and their self-esteem,” Piecuch said.
“It is our hope that these community volunteers will be able to work more closely with these kids,” Picarella said, “and in doing so, the kids learn that they are cared about by those in the community as well.”
