DA Brian Schwalb introduces ROAD Act to make DYRS do its job

[Anonymous]

SOURCE: https://wjla.com/news/local/washington-dc-public-safety-legislation-attorney-general-brian-schwalb-gun-juvenile-crime-shooting-teens-metropolitan-police-mpd-mayor-bowser-act-laws-criminal-liability-council-house#

Schwalb said the legislation would ensure that young people who have committed serious offenses do not re-offend and hold the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) accountable for better public safety outcomes.

"If swift and certain consequences are critical to deterring crime, to ensure that you take accountability for their conduct, to changing behavior, meaningful intervention needs to happen right away, not months down the road," Schwalb said.
Officials said the legislation would:

Require DYRS to significantly reform its supervision and intervention practices to ensure improved public safety outcomes and reductions in recidivism among committed young people

Strengthen the District Court’s authority to intervene when it becomes clear that DYRS is not providing appropriate services and placements for young people in its care

Mandate permanent, independent oversight of DYRS to increase accountability and transparency regarding their internal decision-making

“Too many people across all eight Wards don’t feel safe right now, and residents are rightly demanding swift action from their elected leaders. Young people must face consequences when they break the law, but once our office has prosecuted them, the District must work to ensure that they won’t re-offend and will go on to become productive members of our communities” said Schwalb. “As the District’s chief prosecutor of juvenile crime, I am focused on outcomes and results. Since taking office last year, I have become increasingly concerned about whether DYRS is providing sufficient supervision and intervention to ensure that committed young people don’t re-offend. The ROAD Act will help get DYRS back on track, and create a roadmap towards effective intervention, oversight and accountability, and improved public safety.”

[Anonymous]

Maybe he's finally starting to get it. Last year he was all over the news shows making excuses for violent criminals and their "undeveloped" 25 yo brains . . . sounds like he is finally starting to understand what most reasonable people realized some time ago, i.e., violent people (no matter their age) should not be released back onto the streets to terrorize the rest of us.

I do not understand why DC doesn't stop listening to the BS views of DC Justice Lab and actually go do real research into best practices for juvenile detention centers---there have to be some somewhere---in some state or in other countries. Then try to replicate THOSE facilities to give delinquents a chance to actually get rehabilitated.

[Anonymous]

Where is the law that will hold Schwalb accountable for doing his job?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he's finally starting to get it. Last year he was all over the news shows making excuses for violent criminals and their "undeveloped" 25 yo brains . . . sounds like he is finally starting to understand what most reasonable people realized some time ago, i.e., violent people (no matter their age) should not be released back onto the streets to terrorize the rest of us.

I do not understand why DC doesn't stop listening to the BS views of DC Justice Lab and actually go do real research into best practices for juvenile detention centers---there have to be some somewhere---in some state or in other countries. Then try to replicate THOSE facilities to give delinquents a chance to actually get rehabilitated.

I don't know that I'd say he's starting to get it. I think he sees an opportunity to shift the blame for the juvenile crime problem on another agency/entity and he's running with that.

Not to say DYRS doesn't have the problems he's stating, but I think it's more opportunistic than anything else.

[Anonymous]

While this is likely the latest attempt to shift blame on others, I'm not mad about it because this city needs to tackle the crime problem from all angles. Many agencies play a role in reducing crime and DYRS is one of them. The kids in juvie have already gotten arrested (so MPD did its share) and they were either convicted/pled guilty or are being held pending trial (the prosecutors and courts did their job). But the system at the end of the line--DYRS--isn't doing its job which is to help rehabilitate these kids and reduce recidivism. In fact, they clearly aren't doing much of anything if the recidivism rate is 92%!!! This bill addresses just one part of the problem because MPD, the prosecutors, and the courts still need to do their part. Even if the legislation is opportunistic or attempting to cast blame, it appears to be necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maybe he's finally starting to get it. Last year he was all over the news shows making excuses for violent criminals and their "undeveloped" 25 yo brains . . . sounds like he is finally starting to understand what most reasonable people realized some time ago, i.e., violent people (no matter their age) should not be released back onto the streets to terrorize the rest of us.

I do not understand why DC doesn't stop listening to the BS views of DC Justice Lab and actually go do real research into best practices for juvenile detention centers---there have to be some somewhere---in some state or in other countries. Then try to replicate THOSE facilities to give delinquents a chance to actually get rehabilitated.

I don't know that I'd say he's starting to get it. I think he sees an opportunity to shift the blame for the juvenile crime problem on another agency/entity and he's running with that.

Not to say DYRS doesn't have the problems he's stating, but I think it's more opportunistic than anything else.

This. I'm sure DYRS does need to be improved. But Schwalb could also take actions in his own office and it's interesting that he makes no mention of steps HE will take to address this problem.

[Anonymous]

I am no Schwalb fan but even if he was far more aggressive about demanding detention for violent juveniles, right now there is not enough space AND not enough rehabilitative services within that space. All DYRS detention is now is advanced training in anti-social behavior. And yes, I still would prefer that violent teens be held instead of released even under those conditions. But the entire system needs reforming and at least Schwalb is trying to create pressure for some change at the end point.

[Anonymous]

Memo to Schwalb: Forget about shifting the blame to other agencies. Incarceration is the most direct way of reducing violent crime right now. Do. Your. Job.

[Anonymous]

Schwalb sucks, is uninvolved, not accessible and lazy. He was hand picked by Racine because he was his buddy and would not disclose the previous AG's failings.

Schwalb has, and will, continue to do absolutely nothing. The Public Safety Division at OAG, which houses the Juvenile Section is a joke. And why are assistant attorney generals in Public Safety STILL WORKING AT HOME when crime is so bad?? How can you fight crime from your house in your comfy pajamas? People can't even walk into the office off of the street and speak to someone like they used to because the attorneys all have special telework schedules and are hiding out at home, walking their cats and picking lint out of their fuzzy robes while "teleworking" - such an insult and a joke. They need to all be back at work. Ask Schwab about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Memo to Schwalb: Forget about shifting the blame to other agencies. Incarceration is the most direct way of reducing violent crime right now. Do. Your. Job.

Portland saw the light. Can we?

https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/centrist-challenger-ousts-progressive-prosecutor-19473249.php

[Anonymous]

I'm not too certain DYRS is the problem vs. the judges who lets these criminals out pending trial when they yet again commit another crime. They know the courts are a joke.

A man on trial for attempted murder abruptly pleaded guilty Tuesday after a shooting victim described how he ran for his life, felt a bullet rip into his body and then felt himself go into shock.

At the time of the shooting, Hewitt was on probation for his role in a 2018 murder in the District, McCarthy said. Two groups of teens were fighting after school in Northeast when 16-year-old Tyshon Perry, a straight-A student at KIPP DC College Preparatory School, was stabbed to death.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not too certain DYRS is the problem vs. the judges who lets these criminals out pending trial when they yet again commit another crime. They know the courts are a joke.

A man on trial for attempted murder abruptly pleaded guilty Tuesday after a shooting victim described how he ran for his life, felt a bullet rip into his body and then felt himself go into shock.

At the time of the shooting, Hewitt was on probation for his role in a 2018 murder in the District, McCarthy said. Two groups of teens were fighting after school in Northeast when 16-year-old Tyshon Perry, a straight-A student at KIPP DC College Preparatory School, was stabbed to death.

It’s all of the above: DC AG (Schwalb), Judges, and DRYS.