The mission of JOINS is to prevent juvenile delinquency by diverting threshold offenders from the juvenile justice system. Threshold offenders are first-time, non-violent offenders, or those youth deemed to be at the beginning of a pattern of delinquency. Find out more about this innovative program, directed by Sergeant Ledley, including: goals, success rates, benefits, contact numbers and referrals.
- To reduce of the rate of recidivism for juvenile offenders.
- To reduce minority over representation in the system.
- To successfully intervene in the cases of juvenile threshold offenders.
- To support families and youth with counseling and appropriate referrals to community resources.
- To promote atonement and self-esteem through community service and responsibility.
- To support victims through prompt restitution and program support.
The program is successful in addressing these goals. In 2006, Joins reviewed 8508 juvenile reports. Those meeting the program criteria, and receiving permission from the victim to proceed with a diversion, numbered 1518, down 9.2 percent from 2005. The number of diverted cases was 16.46 percent of all juvenile cases in which a youth was charged. Quarterly reviews of recidivism, twelve months after successful program completion, indicate that 96.5 percent of the youth did not recidivate within a year, which is up 2.5 percent from 94 percent in 2005.
Joins reduces the over-representation of minority youth in the juvenile justice system. Of the cases JOINS diverted, 25.4 percent (357 of 1401) were minority males. 21.4 percent (298 of 1401) were minority females. White males represent 33.7 percent (472 of 1401). While white females represent 19.5 percent (274 of 1401).
JOINS supports youth and their families by assessing needs and making referrals, when indicated, to community agencies. All JOINS youth are assessed by Case Managers assigned by the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), or professional counselors from the Department’s Counseling Team. All victims receive restitution when it is appropriate to the case.
JOINS youth give back to the community in the form of community restitution. These volunteer activities allow the youth to partially atone for their acts, and it helps them to develop a feeling of self-worth. JOINS youth contributed over 18,548 hours of community restitution in 2006. Their activities included Adopt-A-Highway, food and clothing collection, and working in the special equestrian program, among other volunteer service.
- Quicker response to the delinquent act.
- Realization that the authorities (police) are providing a supportive and positive venue to avoid an arrest record.
- Minimization of the impact of disproportionate minority representation in the system.
- Opportunity to direct various social services and treatment resources toward the offender's family.
- Restoration of both the victim and the offender following the delinquent act. The victim through restitution and justice, the offender through atonement and accountability.
- Opportunity to learn through instruction and experiential means why criminal conduct is not acceptable to society.
- The community is the beneficiary of the performance of community restitution activities that mirror the volunteer activities of non-offending citizens.
Supervisor Sergeant Bill Ledley, wledley@baltimorecountymd.gov
JOINS Officers
Precinct 01 | Wilkens | 410-747-3580 | Ofc. Buckingham |
Precinct 02 | Woodlawn | 410-887-6802 | Ofc. Scott |
Precinct 03 | Franklin | 410-887-6968 | Ofc. Morgan |
| Precinct 04 | Pikesville | 410-887-6968 | Ofc. Morgan |
Precinct 06 | Towson | 410-887-2361 | Ofc. Scott |
Precinct 07 | Cockeysville | 410-887-7696 | Ofc. McGlynn |
Precinct 08 | Parkville | 410-887-5035 | Ofc. Scott |
Precinct 09 | White Marsh | 410-887-5035 | Ofc. Oswald |
Precinct 11 | Essex | 410-887-6438 | Ofc. Mussini |
Precinct 12 | North Point | 410-887-7307 | Ofc. Bridges |
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS)
Maryland Local Department of Social Services (DSS)
First Step
10400 Ridgeland Road
Cockeysville, MD
410-628-6120
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Revised July 18, 2007
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