Juvenile Justice: Officials and Activists Discuss Solutions

Welcome to two podcasts on the issue of Juvenile Justice.

When the Baltimore Sun reported that teachers at Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center had approached Governor O'Malley in March complaining that the Center was out of control, reform advocates weren't especially surprised. The Center, which houses teenage boys charged with theft, drug dealing, and assault, has been troubled since it opened in October 2003. From Justice Department investigations to chronic understaffing, the Center has never become what it was meant to be, a start at reforming the system.

This week Marc sat down with Secretary of Juvenile Services Donald Devore to find out his plans for turning the system around. He also spoke with Ray Cook, a community activist who started working at DJS after meeting Secretary Devore on our show-but who quit in frustration just a few months ago.

Please click on the links below to access the interviews and see our blog for more on juvenile justice and a chance to comment.

Juvenile Justice: Conversation with Ray Cook and Timmy

In this podcast, Marc talks with community activists Timmy and Ray Cook about reforming the Juvenile Justice system.

Ray Cook

Ray Cook is an ex-felon who has dedicated his life to helping save young people. After appearing on The Marc Steiner Show and meeting Secretary Donald Devore, he was offered a job at Department of Juvenile Services down at "Baby Booking." Just a few months ago, he quit in frustration, no longer willing to bang his head against an entrenched bureaucracy.

Ray is back in the streets now, working with the youth in Cherry Hill.  He uses unorthodox methods to help young men and women see a better life for themselves.  He talked with Marc about his experience at DJS and how he thinks the system needs to change.

Joining Ray in the conversation was his mentee Timmy, a young man who spent time in DJS.  He had a lot to say about the system and how he believes it is failing young men in Baltimore.

Enjoy and let us know what you think.  Running Time 41 minutes.

 

Juvenile Justice: Conversation with Secretary Donald Devore

In this podcast, Marc talks with Donald Devore, Secretary of Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services, about the work he's done in his first fourteen months on the job, and the work that still lies ahead for him and his department. 

Note that one person's name has been beeped out to protect his identity, as he was a minor.  Enjoy and let us know what you think.  Running time 41:41.