Date: January 27, 2010
Contact: Joe Stinebaker
Communications Director
O) 713-755-4027
C) 713-503-2610
Joe.Stinebaker@cjo.hctx.net


NEWS ADVISORY

COUNTY JUDGE ED EMMETT
TO UNVEIL RESULTS OF YEAR-LONG STUDY
OF HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM


WHO: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett
Judge Bill Burke
Judge Joan Campbell
Judge Lisa Millard
Judge John Phillips
Judge Michael Schneider
Judge Pat Shelton
Judge Richard Vara
Tom Brooks, interim executive director, Juvenile Probation

WHAT: News Conference

WHEN: 1:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, January 27, 2010

WHERE: Room 8013 (8th Floor Conference Room)
Harris County Juvenile Justice Center
1200 Congress
Houston, TX 77002


Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and other members of the Harris County Juvenile Board will meet with the news media this afternoon to discuss the results of a year-long inspection and study of the county’s juvenile justice system by members of the Harris County Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative.

The study results point out significant progress by the county in recent years in reducing the number of juvenile offenders being locked up, but it also notes several areas of needed improvement. Judge Emmett will brief the news media on a substantial reduction in juvenile crime in the past three years as well as implementation of new court programs that are reducing recidivism rates.

Members of the board also will address the study’s criticisms and recommendations for improvements in youth programs, facilities, restraints and hiring practices.