County Executive Pete Kutras has presented to the Board of
Supervisors a proposal for implementing the Juvenile Hall Advisory
Board as provided for in Measure A, approved by voters in
March.
County Executive Pete Kutras has presented to the Board of Supervisors a proposal for implementing the Juvenile Hall Advisory Board as provided for in Measure A, approved by voters in March.
The measure amended the county charter to allow the county executive to appoint the chief probation officer and have the authority to supervise, direct, and oversee the activities of the chief probation officer and Juvenile Hall, effectively giving the county Board of Supervisors oversight and policymaking authority for Juvenile Hall.
The measure called for the creation of a Juvenile Hall Advisory Board and identified 13 categories of representation. It also gave the Board of Supervisors the authority to appoint other representatives.
The masure’s proposed make up of the board includes one judge from Juvenile Court, District Attorney or designee, Public Defender or designee, Sheriff or designee, two health professionals with expertise in child psychiatry and child development, a member from each of the three employee bargaining organizations, two persons who were incarcerated at juvenile hall, two parents of persons incarcerated, and others as determined by the Board of Supervisors.
The County Executive’s current proposal is to add four additional representatives, for a total of 17 members, including: a social services professional, a representative from the County Office of Education, a representative from a community based organization with expertise in children and family services, and a person who was a victim of juvenile crime to advocate on behalf of victims.
The Board also reviewed membership qualifications and the proposed mission and duties of the Juvenile Hall Advisory Board. Staff will return to the Board on August 17 for public comment.
