In today’s Philadelphia Inquirer comes news that Michael T. Conahan, one of two judges in the “kids-for-cash” scandal has pleaded guilty.
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 April, 2010
Ethics Awareness Initiative of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania
The Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Misericordia University sent us information about a unique initiative it is jointly introducing with Leadership Wilkes-Barre in the wake of the unethical actions in Luzerne County.
Task Force Submits Report to Interbranch Commission
This week, the Luzerne County Juvenile Justice Victim Response Task Force submitted a report on its work to the Interbranch Commission. Since May 2009, the Task Force has met monthly to help member agencies improve juvenile justice services to children and families.