Pocono News Section

Controversial Luzerne Co. Probation Program Being Phased Out

Controversial Luzerne Co. Probation Program Being Phased Out - Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 5:35PM EST

WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- A controversial probation program in Luzerne County is being phased out. The I-Team first told you about the program last week.
It's called "Crossing Over." It came under fire from several judges who say suspended Judge Mark Ciavarella overstepped his authority. Crossing over is located on South Main Street in Wilkes-Barre. It is a halfway house for inmates. They can be sent there when they serve their minimum sentence.

But it became the center of controversy when Judge Ciavarella began sending inmates there without the knowledge of the original sentencing judge.

Judges like Peter Paul Olszweski were angry and concerned since some of those inmates were violent and he felt Ciavarella should have checked with him first before releasing them.

Tuesday the Court en Banc, led by President Judge Chester Muroski, recommended phasing out referrals to Crossing Over.

Last week the I-Team spoke to the owner of Crossing Over who insisted that his record speaks for itself, that they have helped inmates turn their lives around.

Judge Muroski has made it clear that any program the court feels may have "baggage" will be looked at, and if need be, eliminated.

The fate of Central Court is also still up in the air.