This month, the PA Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA) convened state and county level stakeholders, including MHAPA’s Child Policy Coordinator Wendy Luckenbill, to form the Luzerne County Juvenile Justice Victim Response Task Force. The group will plan and coordinate services to victims; identify community, system and individual needs; secure resources to meet those needs; and keep members current on developing legal issues.
Background
In 2007, eyes around the nation turned to Luzerne Country, PA, when the Juvenile Law Center (JLC) began investigating reports from youth and their families of harsh –and illegal– treatment during the adjudication process.
In what has been widely acknowledged as the worst juvenile justice scandal in US history, JLC investigators uncovered wide-spread pervasive greed and corruption by dozens of county officials at the expense of vulnerable young people and their families. JLC’s attorneys sought intervention from the PA Supreme Court, which ultimately intervened on the youths’ behalf. Read More>
Archive for May, 2009
Luzerne County Corruption Echoes Nationally
The national media continues to cover the Luzerne County scandal, telling the stories of the real people affected by the pervasive corruption.
20/20
In three parts, 20/20 speaks to victims and officials about their experiences.
Read more and watch all three parts here.
CNN
Read more on CNN’s website or watch its video coverage.