Pocono News Section

Juvenile Justice Report to be Released Thursday

Juvenile Justice Report to be Released Thursday - Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 04:18AM EST

Reported by: Andy Mehalshick
Wednesday May 26 2010
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- This is the eve of the final report on the juvenile justice scandal in Luzerne County. Eyewitness News will be in Harrisburg Thursday for the Interbranch Justice Commissions findings. That report will likely call for sweeping changes in the way juvenile cases are handled statewide.

Now a renewed call is going out to families impacted by that justice scandal that help is available. The kids-for-cash scandal rocked the very foundation of the Luzerne County juvenile court system. Former judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan allegedly lined their pockets with millions of dollars making sure juveniles were sent away. Most were locked up for no good reason.

The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice has been holding hearings since last year trying to find out how and why this could happen. Cathy Wallace is Director of the Advocacy Alliance, a support group created as a direct result of the scandal. Shes reaching out to those affected by the scandal.

"They've been so traumatized they really find it hard to trust anyone so the support group talks to each other and gets support from each other. Its very different from an individual counseling session. Theres a more personal touch. They have gone through the same things. They understand," she says.

The Advocacy Alliance has put out fliers and is running newspaper ads knowing that the release of the Interbranch report Thursday will likely cause those affected more personal pain. "This number (1-888-558-3203) will connect them with someone that will explain what the support groups are. These are people asking if they still having problems not being able to move forward with their lives after the turmoil they've been in," she says.

The Interbranch Commission on Juvenile Justice will issue its final report and recommendations Thursday morning at 10:00 A. M. in Harrisburg.