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The Juvenile Offenders in Need of Supervision (JOINS) Program

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.

Goals

1. To reduce of the rate of recidivism for juvenile offenders.
2. To reduce minority over representation in the system.
3. To successfully intervene in the cases of juvenile threshold offenders.
4. To support families and youth with counseling and appropriate referrals to community resources.
5. To promote atonement and self-esteem through community service and responsibility.
6. To support victims through prompt restitution and program support.

Success Rates

The program is successful in addressing these goals. In 2008, JOINS officers reviewed 8,819 juvenile reports, which is up 9.3 percent from the 8,064 reports in 2007, and a significant increase to those cases reviewed in 2006 (8,508). Those meeting the program criteria, and receiving permission from the victim to proceed with a diversion, numbered 1,087, down 8.5 percent from 2007 (1,180). The number of diverted cases was 13 percent of all juvenile cases in which a youth was charged. Quarterly reviews of recidivism, 12 months after successful program completion for 2007, indicate that 89 percent of the youth did not recidivate within a year.

Statistics relating to minority over representation of the 2008 cases diverted by the JOINS program were compiled. Those figures indicate that 49.8 percent (542 of 1,087) were minority youths. 50.1 percent (545 of 1,087) of the diverted offenders were non-minority youth. The numbers also reveal that the JOINS program participants were 60.9 percent male (663 of 1,087) and 39.1 percent female (424 of 1,087).

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. In 2008, JOINS youth contributed over 13,898 hours of community restitution and 1,417 hours devoted to educational programs related to their offenses such as Shoplifting Abatement and the Reason Straight Program. Their activities included Adopt-A-Highway, food and clothing collection, community clean up details, Cell Phones for Soldiers and working in the special equestrian program, among other volunteer services. Community restitution allows for a positive mentoring relationship with the JOINS clients and is an extremely important function of the overall success of JOINS. 

Benefits

1. Quicker response to the delinquent act.
2. Realization that the authorities (police) are providing a supportive and positive venue to avoid an arrest record.
3. Minimization of the impact of disproportionate minority representation in the system.
4. Opportunity to direct various social services and treatment resources toward the offender's family.
5. Restoration of both the victim and the offender following the delinquent act. The victim through restitution and justice, the offender through atonement and accountability.
6. Opportunity to learn through instruction and experiential means why criminal conduct is not acceptable to society.
7. The community is the beneficiary of the performance of community restitution activities that mirror the volunteer activities of non-offending citizens.

Contact Us

Supervisor Sergeant Garrett Leonard, gleonard@baltimorecountymd.gov , 410-887-5841.

JOINS Officers 

Referrals

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 June 23, 2009