Latest news with #VincentSchiraldi
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Maryland governor wants accountability in juvenile crime fight after DJS secretary's resignation
The embattled Maryland Secretary of Juvenile Services, Vincent Schiraldi, told WJZ he is leaving on his terms, despite Governor Wes Moore insisting he asked for the resignation. The move follows intense criticism of Schiraldi during his two years in office, with critics claiming his policies are too lenient on young and violent offenders. Schiraldi defends work Secretary Schiraldi defended his work in an interview with WJZ shortly after Monday night's surprise announcement from the governor's office that he would be leaving DJS. "Lots of stuff has gone in the right direction, and I thought it's probably a good time for this particular lightning rod to move on and let somebody else take it to the next level," Schiraldi said. Schiraldi said the barrage of criticism that he is too easy on juvenile offenders and failed to hold them accountable during his years on the job factored into his decision. "I've been under criticism since I started," Schiraldi said. "I think it sort of bears noting mass incarceration has been around almost five decades now, and there have been people who have gone up against it, who have pushed back and fought against what I think is very destructive and racially divisive and ineffective policy." Schiraldi added, "This is right out of the mass incarceration playbook: Lots of politicians thumping their chests and vilifying kids and saying we should lock more of them up, and that's what happened. None of that was a surprise." Moore addresses Schiraldi's departure Gov. Moore had a different take on how the departure unfolded. "I called for his resignation, and I'm happy about the direction that I think we are going to go in," the governor told WYPR's Midday with Tom Hall. Moore also spoke about his view of juvenile justice. "I think accountability means being able to use all assets at your disposal," Moore said. "So, if you're saying that accountability simply means a lecture, I think you're wrong. And I think if you're saying accountability means locking everyone up for everything, I also think you are wrong." Moore said, "True public safety means that you have to have the right combination of accountability for those who break the law, and you need to make sure that you focus on rehabilitation." DJS leadership replacement The governor tapped Betsy Fox Tolentino to take over DJS. She currently works for Roca, an organization WJZ has profiled that helps reach the most at-risk youth in Maryland. Tolentino previously worked in Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services Schiraldi said he recommended her for the position, but the governor insisted Tuesday, "She is my choice. I'm thankful that we have someone who is so talented who is coming on to be able to take on that role." Moore said he was "looking forward to the Senate nominations committee giving her a speedy confirmation." The critics Critics, including many Republicans in the General Assembly, told WJZ Investigates they want a change in direction at DJS, citing repeat, violent offenders going unpunished. "Someone who is 16- and 17-years-old, if they commit a violent crime, they should absolutely be held accountable. I certainly hope the acting secretary does not continue down that pathway [of Schiraldi]," Baltimore County Republican Delegate Ryan Nawrocki told WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren. Nawrocki said the resignation came as a surprise. "The governor definitely dug in on his confidence in Secretary Schiraldi, so I was definitely surprised by his resignation, but I certainly think it was long overdue," he said. "As you know, I have been calling for his resignation now for well over a year. The system is fundamentally broken at DJS, and I believe the only way to have a good pathway forward is to have new leadership at the top of that organization." The new secretary will still have to be confirmed by the state senate and faces tough questions from Republicans, including Senator William Folden, who was outspoken about Schiraldi's tenure. "He's been a colossal failure," Senator Folden told Hellgren. "He should never have been in that position, and for the governor to put him in that position and leave him in there for as long as he did, at least there's change coming." Folden added, "I applaud the governor for doing this. It's taken a long enough time, but at least the action has been taken now." High-profile incidents Last year, Schiraldi said he had no plans to step down after facing criticism over an incident in Howard County. Howard County Superintendent Bill Barnes said at the time he had no idea a 17-year-old student at Howard High faced attempted murder charges for a violent attack that left a victim paralyzed when he was placed in the school on an ankle monitor under the supervision of the state Department of Juvenile Services. The teen suspect was arrested and charged with the murder of a man last October in the parking lot of an office building in Columbia. Police said they took him into custody in school with a ghost gun that was loaded, had an extended magazine, and was modified to be an automatic weapon. Other incidents involving repeat, juvenile offenders have also been fodder for those who wanted Secretary Schiraldi gone. Other incidents involving repeat, juvenile offenders have also been fodder for those who wanted Secretary Schiraldi gone. The secretary defended his record. "We need to start having a fact and data-based conversation and not just vilify young people with hyperbole. It doesn't serve the goals of public safety. It feeds fear, and it's contrary to the best practices in research," Schiraldi said. He told WJZ his last day on the job is June 20.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vincent Schiraldi talks with WMAR after resigning from DJS position
Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services is undergoing leadership changes as Vincent Schiraldi has resigned from his position as secretary. Governor Wes Moore has selected Betsy Fox-Tolentino to lead the department moving forward. In an interview following his resignation, Schiraldi said he approached the Moore administration indicating he was ready to step down when they felt it was appropriate. "Then a week, maybe a little more than a week later, Fagan Harris the Chief of Staff called me to Annapolis and said they were going to accept that, thanked me for my service, talked about the transition stuff with the incoming person Betsy Tolentino and settled on a departure date of June 20," Schiraldi said. Despite facing calls for his resignation and negative coverage, Schiraldi believes he made positive contributions during his tenure at the department. READ MORE:
Washington Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Maryland juvenile services head Schiraldi resigns after intense scrutiny
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi — Gov. Wes Moore's most unorthodox Cabinet member — resigned Monday after a tumultuous two years while tasked with overhauling the agency amid a spike in crime among teens. Schiraldi, a nationally renowned youth justice reformist, said in an interview Tuesday that he told the governor's office last month of his intent to leave the agency by the end of the calendar year, but said he would depart sooner if it made more sense logistically for the administration.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Embattled DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi steps down
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent N. Schiraldi in a file photo from January 2024. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) Vincent Schiraldi, whose two years as secretary of the troubled Maryland Department of Juvenile Services were marked by heavy criticism from some state lawmakers, resigned Monday. Critics called the move long overdue but Schiraldi, 66, said in an interview Monday evening that he's pleased with the work he and his team did under the leadership of Gov. Wes Moore (D). 'It was a real honor working with Gov. Moore,' he said. 'I wish him luck as he continues to drive down crime and improve outcomes for young people. His efforts to abolish childhood poverty will reap benefits, not only for kids, but also they'll improve crime rates even further than they already are.' Moore announced Schiraldi's replacement will be Besty Fox Tolentino, who will assume the acting secretary position Wednesday. She currently works as managing director of juvenile and young adult justice initiatives at The Roca Impact Institute, a nonprofit based in Chelsea, Massachusetts. 'We knew when we took office that the Department of Juveniles Services was one of the most troubled in all of State government. We need to continue to move fast and diligently in order to turn it around,' Moore said in a statement. 'I am pleased that Betsy Fox Tolentino has raised her hand to serve and will lead the department during the next critical phase of this work,' his statement said. 'Her focus on safety for all communities is defined by executional excellence, accountability for justice-involved youth, support for the staff who serve them, and sturdy grounding in the law is exactly what we need at this moment.' Before working at The Roca Institure, Fox Tolentino worked in juvenile services in Maryland as deputy secretary of community operations, a position created by the General Assembly in 2021. Juvenile Services secretary grilled on agency's performance by Senate committee 'I am thankful for Secretary Schiraldi's service to Maryland while leading an organization that shapes the lives of our young people who need support. I wish him well in his next endeavors,' Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said in a statement. 'I also want to congratulate Betsy Tolentino on her nomination as secretary. Ms. Tolentino's experience in successful operations at the Department of Juvenile Services will be important to the next phase of the work for the agency.' Senate Republicans believe Schiraldi's departure is 'long overdue,' saying in a written statement that under Schiraldi's leadership, 'a broken system became a public safety liability.' 'He presided over widespread failures: violent juveniles released with no real supervision, repeated contract mismanagement, dangerous missteps in ankle monitoring, and frontline staff left to fend for themselves,' Senate Minority Leader Stephen S. Hershey Jr. (R-Upper Shore) said in the statement. Minority Whip Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carroll) criticized Moore for not removing him sooner, saying that while the change in leadership is welcome, it 'doesn't erase the damage already done under Schiraldi—or the fact that the Governor stood by while this department fell deeper into crisis.' The Senate Republicans that the department Schiraldi leaves behind 'remains in disarray,' and that disfunction at the agency are 'deeply embedded in a culture of mismanagement and denial.' 'Removing Schiraldi is just step one,' Hershey added. 'We need a full overhaul of the department — new leadership, real operational experience, a commitment to public safety, and above all, accountability.' The juvenile services department has been mired in controversies under Schiraldi. Most recently, the agency was the subject of a lengthy report from state auditors who said the department failed to consistently ensure that criminal background checks were completed for every contractor working at state juvenile detention centers and treatment facilities. This oversight allowed a state contractor for the department to work directly with children through this year, despite a 2021 assault conviction, according to a May report from the Office of Legislative Audits. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Schiraldi's department also came under fire over last year over inadequate communications involving the transfer of a student who was charged with serious criminal offenses. Last year, the Maryland State Board of Education had to issue an emergency rule requiring that school leaders notify other schools of such cases, after a student in Howard County was arrested in connection with an October murder. Howard County education officials said that they were not notified that the student in question had also had been charged in another county and was under Department of Juvenile Services supervision before he enrolled in their county. The General Assembly's Joint Republican Caucus had called for Schiraldi's removal following that incident. Moore stood by Schiraldi then, saying that the secretary understood the vision of the administration when it came to accountability and opportunities for Maryland's youth. Schiraldi said when some lawmakers speak loudly against some criminal justice reform measures, 'watch out.' 'I think when you hear some politicians thumping their chests and breathing fire … that's when bad policy happens, and that's when lots and lots and lots of young Black men get incarcerated,' he said. 'That is the story of mass incarceration, and if we're not careful, we will relive that history.' Schiraldi has highlighted several accomplishments during his tenure with the agency such as the creation of the Thrive Academy. The program that began in 2023 in Baltimore City and Baltimore County to provide community-based, gun-violence prevention programs for youth at the highest risk of being a victim or perpetrator of gun violence. By July 1 of last year, it had expanded to 300 youths statewide. Maryland schools must now share information on students charged with serious crimes In terms of staffing, Schiraldi told the Senate committee in January the job vacancy rate at the department decreased from 16% when he arrived to 11% during that time. Schiraldi spent several decades in criminal justice and youth reform. He was director of the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services in Washington, D.C.; a senior criminal justice adviser to former New York Mayor Bill De Blasio (D); a leader of the New York City Department of Corrections during which he tried to close the notorious Rikers Island jail complex and end solitary confinement; and senior researcher at the Columbia School of Social Work. 'Vinny Schiraldi brought decades of experience and innovative thinking to the task of running the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services,' Moore's statement said. 'He put immense energy and effort into his work and moved important new efforts forward – to include the award-winning Thrive Academy – and we thank him for his service.' Schiraldi, who said his work extends 45 years, plans to relax this summer fishing and hiking with his wife in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. He declined to say what his plans are in the fall, but he isn't going to retire. 'Folks have been knocking on my door,' he said. 'I got a lot of things that I'm considering, but I haven't made any commitments to people yet, so I can't announce it. I'll be fighting mass incarceration again like I always have.'
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Acting Department of Juvenile Services secretary appointed after Vincent Schiraldi's departure
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore appointed an acting secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services after calls for the resignation of the previous secretary, Vincent Schiraldi. Betsy Fox Tolentino, who has 18 years of experience in criminal and juvenile justice advocacy, policy development, and building systems, will be the department's new secretary, according to the governor's office. The state has not said why Schiraldi is no longer the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services. "Vinny Schiraldi brought decades of experience and innovative thinking to the task of running the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services," said Gov. Moore. "He put immense energy and effort into his work and moved important new efforts forward — to include the award-winning Thrive Academy -- and we thank him for his service."
