Statement by Senator Lisa Baker on Interbranch
Commission Report
Senator Lisa Baker issued the following statement regarding the final
recommendations of the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice:
Pennsylvanians owe sincere thanks to Judge John Cleland and the members
of the Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice for providing dedicated
and diligent service, for conducting a thorough and no-holds-barred inquiry,
and for assembling such an extensive and well-reasoned series of
recommendations for reform.
Thanks are also due to those who came forward with candid accounts of
what went wrong, and to the individuals and groups who submitted reform
recommendations to the commission.
The Interbranch Commission has shown the laudable result when publicly
spirited individuals take seriously the charge of righting incredible
wrongs. They handled a difficult assignment, unlike anything in our state's
experience, with intelligence, integrity, and determination.
Even though the juvenile justice system across Pennsylvania is
outstanding in many respects, the complete collapse in Luzerne County makes
it imperative to add safeguards. The recommendations address issues we had
immediately identified, and many others that surfaced during the course of
the investigation.
Corruption, indifference, and failure touched every aspect of the local
juvenile justice system, and reached even beyond into the schools and the
community. The recommendations necessarily include upgrading standards in
every part of the process.
This report is a clear call to action. None of this can be treated
casually, in the sense of "it might be nice to do something someday if we
have time or find money or the spirit still moves us."
All three branches of state government are put on notice that
substantial, specific steps must be taken to remedy injustice, restore
public confidence, and prevent a future perversion of justice.
Ultimate responsibility for the juvenile justice system rests with the
state Supreme Court under our unified judicial system. Several of the key
recommendations will require action by the Court, and it is hoped they will
act directly and decisively.
Where the recommendations require legislative action, I will introduce
the bills needed to spur debate and action. There are other Senators with
long-established interest and involvement in judicial issues, and their
participation and leadership will be helpful as well.
The responsibility for providing fair and effective justice is delineated
in the state Constitution. There is no asterisk indicating these
obligations are suspended during times of substantial budget deficit. A
large deficit in quality justice is every bit as consequential and harmful
as a large deficit in state revenue.
For the money needed for training, oversight, advocacy, and compensation,
we will look to federal sources, foundations, fee increases, and funds
established for related purposes.
The commission's proceedings were open and accessible to encourage public
participation and invite public input. The report has been crafted to help
the public understand the problems, and to enable citizens to join in the
effort to compel action by the three branches of state government.
Interbanch Commission on Juvenile Justice
