Department of Juvenile Services

Dear Neighbors and Friends,

Over the past several months, I’ve heard from many of you, through emails, phone calls, and community meetings, about the disturbing rise in juvenile crime. A common concern is the “catch and release” approach that has persisted since Governor Moore took office. Juvenile crime has soared under his leadership as a result, with concerning bills being proposed, such as Senate Bill 422, which would have limited the number of crimes under which a juvenile can be charged as an adult, had it passed. Under the Democratic Supermajority, we’ve seen a wave of idealistic policies that emphasize restorative practices but too often fail to include real, consistent consequences for criminal behavior committed by youth, leading to more chaos and destruction of traditional values.

Senate Republicans have repeatedly called for the removal of Secretary Vincent Schiraldi from the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), citing his failure to adequately address violent juvenile offenses and to implement a functional, accountable rehabilitation system. On May 21, alarming reports revealed that staff at Western Maryland’s Committed Treatment Center had been assaulted in such high numbers that dangerous staffing shortages followed. In response, I wrote directly to Secretary Schiraldi to express concern and demand answers. I've documented our entire correspondence to ensure full transparency and accountability. He noted that only 35 out of 172 juveniles in the THRIVE program have been arrested for gun-related offenses, but I don't view that as a success. Do you? I believe in the importance of sustained engagement and early accountability. My commitment remains clear: DJS must be held responsible not only for safeguarding our communities but also for providing at-risk youth with a genuine path to rehabilitation, not simply excusing their behavior.

With Mr. Schiraldi no longer serving as Secretary of DJS, I’ve reached out to the current Acting Secretary to make sure she’s informed about our community’s ongoing concerns, as well as to raise several new questions prompted by Mr. Schiraldi’s recent letter.

In July, I will be touring the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School, located in Legislative District 7 to gain additional insight into the conditions of staff and inmates. To support correctional officers, I cosponsored Senate Bill 502, which was enacted into law this Legislative Session. Senate Bill 502 offers correctional officers a property tax-credit that will retroactively apply to tax years as far back as 2022. These staff members are tasked with managing behaviors that has put the rest of our community at risk. Supporting the staff at these facilities remains a priority.

Letter to Vincent Schiraldi, Former Secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services

On May 30, I requested answers to four key questions, which I've detailed below in the Q&A via Written Communication section.

"Accountability must be a foundational element of any system designed to protect public safety and foster personal responsibility. In light of recent reports detailing juvenile criminal assaults and growing safety concerns, I am seeking clarity on the specific steps the Department is taking to enforce consequences, prevent repeat offenses, and restore order within our facilities."

"Ensuring the safety of both staff and youth within our facilities must remain a central priority. Equally important is holding young offenders accountable for their actions in a manner that promotes real rehabilitation. Without accountability, we risk undermining both public trust and the potential for meaningful change in these youths’ lives. I believe transparency and collaboration are essential to restoring confidence in our juvenile services system, and I welcome any opportunity to work with your department to understand the scope of the challenges and the solutions being implemented. At the end of the day, communities need to feel safe, and these young people need to understand the consequences of their actions while being given a path forward. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your response and to continuing a dialogue that supports a safer and more effective juvenile justice system in Maryland."

Q&A via Written Communication:

Jennings: What immediate and long-term strategies are being implemented to mitigate juvenile crime in Maryland and ensure young people know that it is not acceptable to break the laws in place?

Response: Schiraldi listed continued partnership with support groups that are created as a part of Thrive, such as We Our Us – A Baltimore Unity Movement. He mentioned the opening of Home | Tendea Family, which exclusively serves black residents.

He stated,"Thrive is an intensive, community-based program in which each youth participant is paired with both a specialized DJS case manager and a life coach who shares lived experiences similar to those of the youth they serve. The program provides participants with a personalized “suitcase of supports” tailored to their needs. Services include subsidized employment, assistance with college or vocational training, voluntary relocation support, and trauma-informed therapy."

"The Thrive Academy has served 172 youth from September of 2023 to April of 2025. Of those, only 3% have been gun violence victims, none have been homicide victims, and 4 out of 5 have not been arrested for a gun-related offense."

The former secretary also boasted an employment program to reduce recidivism as well as Comprehensive Treatment Model (CTM) through Georgetown University and Pew Charitable Trusts. "Finally, with funding from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, DJS

is conducting a county-by-county service continuum needs assessment to evaluate the availability and gaps in local programming. This collaborative process includes input from judges, magistrates, state's attorneys, public defenders, youth, and families. Our FY26 budget includes additional funding to expand and strengthen needed services. Every jurisdiction is different, and this assessment allows us to identify and invest in what’s working while addressing local service gaps."

Jennings: 2. What protocol is in place when individuals in custody violently assault the staff at the juvenile detention facilities?

Response: All youth-on-staff assaults are investigated through the Office of the Inspector General and referred to law enforcement when appropriate. Staff may contact law enforcement independently. DJS focuses on the root cause with evaluations and interventions like dialectical based therapy and de-escalation strategies. All incidents are tracked and reviewed by leadership to spot trends.

Jennings: 3. What supports, such as staffing increases, staff training, or mental health services. have been or will be introduced to prevent further incidents? What supports are needed to maintain the safety of the staff and youth?

Response: "Lower vacancies reduce overtime, increase staffing consistency, and foster a calmer more stable environment for youth and staff."

I'm not going to say someone googled, "How do I reduce crime in my juvenile crime center," but I have my suspicions.



On October 1, 2024, the Joint Republican Caucus formally called on Governor Moore to remove Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi, citing deep concerns over his leadership and policy approach. The letter emphasized that all Republican Senators had opposed Schiraldi’s confirmation in 2023, warning at the time of his radical reform agenda.

The Caucus pointed to a continued rise in violent juvenile crime and the Department’s failure to prevent repeat offenders from being quickly returned to communities and schools. They argued this approach jeopardized public safety and failed to serve the best interests of both victims and youth.

Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey and House Minority Leader Jason Buckel noted that criticism of Schiraldi was growing beyond partisan lines and that his record, both in Maryland and in previous roles in New York and D.C. demonstrated, he was unfit to lead the agency.

With Schiraldi's resignation now confirmed, the letter stands as a clear reflection of the mounting pressure and bipartisan dissatisfaction that ultimately led to a change in leadership at the Department of Juvenile Services.

October 18, 2024: Maryland Senate Republicans Write to Governor Moore with Evidence of Failures:

As of October 18, 2024, Maryland Senate Republicans had not received a response and subsequently compiled a brief list of issues that had arisen within the Department of Juvenile Services during that time:

1. On October 15, 2024, a 17-year-old was arrested for first degree murder, while in possession of an illegal ghost gun in his backpack. This teen was already charged with attempted murder and required to wear an ankle monitor, while attending Howard High School. No school officials had been notified. He had removed the ankle monitor without DJS noticing or apprehending the juvenile criminal.
2. On October 16, 2024, a whistleblower stated that conditions at DJS facilities are unsafe. There was an increase in violence, illegal drug use and senior leadership had left. All of this, plus more, resulted in calls for a federal investigation.
3. Mr. Schiraldi employed a convicted murderer as a senior member of DJS. They previously worked together on Rikers Island in New York City at a time that resulted in a "summer crisis," lacking "adequate supervision and accountability.

The Senate Republican Caucus, of which I am a part, expressed serious concerns in 2023 regarding Mr. Schiraldi’s reform agenda, particularly his proposal to treat individuals up to age 25 as juveniles and to close all juvenile detention facilities in Maryland. These extreme positions reflect a broader philosophy that, in our view, risked further destabilizing a juvenile justice system already perceived to be out of balance, one that too often centers the offender while sidelining the rights and needs of actual victims. Juvenile crime has risen in robberies and

While there remains a broad agreement on the importance of second chances and meaningful rehabilitation, we must also recognize the reality and severity of violent offenses, even when committed by juveniles. Serious crimes demand serious consequences. As communities across the state continue to be vexed by the troubling rise in juvenile crime, the public expects accountability and a system that prioritizes both justice and public safety.

Thank you to everyone who has remained engaged and vocal about the challenges within the Department of Juvenile Services. Your continued involvement is critical as we work toward meaningful reform and greater accountability. I remain committed to monitoring these issues closely and will continue to advocate for transparency, safety, and real solutions.