Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Announces Updates to Electronic Monitoring Policies

BALTIMORE, Md. — The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services today announced changes to the agency’s electronic monitoring policies. The changes reflect a new, more proactive agency role in enabling the courts to act more swiftly and effectively to deliver resources and support to justice-involved young people. 

“We are moving quickly to address the young people who are falling through the cracks of our system,” said Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino. “These changes show a willingness to have hard conversations and make quick decisions when they can help us rebuild trust and community safety.” 

The policy changes effective July 3 are as follows: 

• All youth on electronic monitoring who have been requested by law enforcement for detention and are charged with a new detention-eligible offense will be held in detention until their next court hearing.
  • The DJS Deputy Secretary of Community will oversee and monitor all detention decisions to ensure consistent implementation.
• A community detention officer or liaison MUST appear in court for the young person’s detention hearing. This staff member will provide the court with an update on the youth’s engagement with electronic monitoring, including both strengths and areas of concern. 

Since being appointed by Governor Wes Moore to run the Department in June, Fox Tolentino has been meeting with public safety partners like law enforcement agencies and State’s Attorneys to gather feedback about the agency. One consistent request has been for more focus to be paid to electronic monitoring, recognizing young people who may be repeating delinquent acts while charges work their way through the justice system. Then, recent incidents with suspects alleged to be repeat offenders necessitated quick action. The changes not only address these young people with more direct and immediate support, but add training and oversight for staff. 

To support the new electronic monitoring policies, the department will provide enhanced training for community detention staff who monitor children and strengthen their ability to support and supervise youth while on electronic monitoring. Staff will work hand-in-hand with trained community partners who will meet with youth at the time of arrest. The partners will continue to engage youth during holding or before court to assess immediate needs to help develop safety and intervention plans that are tailored to each youth’s circumstances. More direct interactions with youth will present more opportunities to immediately offer resources in lieu of waiting weeks or months to gain access to programming. 

“I appreciate DJS for taking swift action in response to the concerns raised by me and members of my team,” said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “Thank you, Secretary Fox Tolentino, for your willingness to address these issues head-on and for your commitment to both public safety and creating positive outcomes for our city’s young people. I look forward to strengthening this partnership and working together to build safer communities for our residents and future generations.” 

For more information, read the policy directive here.