August 2017 Summer Edition

The Justice Journal The Voice of Pinal County Juvenile Court Services

For those of you who are not aware, the leadership here at Juvenile Court is creating avenues for providing

an education to our Pinal County communities, county leadership and system stakeholders. Recently there

was an excellent newspaper article in the Casa Grande Dispatch, “Why Pinal Is Locking Up Fewer

Kids”. Shortly thereafter, an interview with KJZZ radio was aired approximately 3-4 weeks ago.

In October, I will be presenting information about our own juvenile justice reform efforts in Pinal County to

the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership – Flinn Foundation. This is a unique group of highly motivated

individuals from various walks of life who are working to prepare for civic service in a political environ-

ment. This is truly an opportunity to educate and engage this group on the current juvenile justice issues

and reform efforts because someday they may be sitting as a legislative member in Arizona and key to mak-

ing future decisions on Juvenile Justice Reform.

Judge Daniel Washburn and I have recently engaged our Board of Supervisors to discuss current work in Pinal County and the future of

Juvenile Court services in Pinal County. The outcome of these meetings has been very positive. The board members we have met with

understand the challenges we experience working with youth and families, have shared their appreciation for the work YOU ALL do

and support our efforts moving forward to improve the Juvenile Justice services in Pinal County.

In fact, I want to share a piece of an email received from Board of Supervisors Chairman, Steve Miller subsequent to a meeting and tour

of the Youth Justice Center, “You have done a great job and are continuing to do good things for your department. I appreciate your

understanding and passion for taking care of these juveniles. Thank all of your staff for the good work they are doing as well”.

Below are only a few of the many processes/programs the staff and management team are engaged in:

Engaging staff in focus groups to discuss options for a repurposing model at the Youth Justice Center.

Crossover Youth Practice Model Protocol has been drafted/close to being finalized.

Development of the Maricopa Teen Court Program

Specialized (Evidence Based) Probation Supervision in San Tan Valley

Accepted into the Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparity (RRED) Certificate Program in Washington, DC through Georgetown University.

Burns Institute selected Pinal County Juvenile Court to receive Intensive Technical Assistance to addressing (RRED)

Staff representation at the state level to work on improving system communication.

Active volunteer recruitment efforts for CASA, Restorative Justice and other volunteer opportunities.

Detention youth making Paracord Bracelets for both the Adult Veteran’s and Drug Court.

All of the above and so much more would not be possible without staff’s level of motivation and

genuine dedication! And your belief that All Kids Are Capable of Success, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Denise Smith, Director

Inside this issue:

Youth Justice Center 2

YJC Employee Highlights 3

Summer Programming 4

Teen Court 5

Mock Trial Success Story 6

Research and Data Analysis 7

All Kids Are Capable of Success!

SAVE THE DATE!

Mark your calendars for our Annual Pinal County Adoption Day on November 18, 2017. If you would like to volunteer for this event please contact Donna McBride or Pam Burke.

T he Youth Justice Center began

housing detained youth in Feb-

ruary of 2007. The original design of

the building provided a full school

program, contact and non-contact

visitation, programming and treat-

ment space for 96 beds in 52,000

square feet. Coming from the old

facility, this modern, spacious build-

ing was a vast improvement.

In the ten years since we opened our

new facility, there have been a num-

ber of changes. The most significant

of course, is the change in philosophy

regarding which youth should be held

and the services offered to the youth

once they are detained.

In addition to reducing the number of

Pinal County youth held, our own

philosophy has provided us oppor-

tunity to reimagine how the space can

be utilized to provide better service.

Rooms that were originally designed

to be dorms are now used for counsel-

ing services and incentive programs.

Space for non-contact visitation,

while still available, is not in use.

Recent projects have also added new

use to existing space. For example,

cameras have been added in areas to

allow new space to be used for youth

programs. Shade screens have been

added to the indoor recreation court-

yard and a secure top placed on out-

door visitation.

Ten years later, our ‘new’ building

continues to live up to the challenge

of evolving with our department to

provide the services and meet the

needs of the youth entrusted to our

care.

-Cindie Amarillas

YOUTH JUSTICE CENTER: 10 YEARS LATER & MANY SUCCESSES

After more than 10 years of waiting, JoltsAZ has made it to Pinal County. Kudos to Liz Ontiveros for all she

has done to make this transition as smooth as possible. – John Fuery

Kudos to Toby Sear for updating our website to be relevant to today’s business practices and recognize the

great work that is performed daily by our staff. While this is an ongoing project, Toby has already begun to

make some improvements. Please take a moment to check it out and feel free to share your ideas with management on what you

would like to be seen there. – John Fuery

Kudos to John Fuery for stepping in to handle details of APPA Week. He stepped up his game and came through to make sure

Juvenile Court staff had a good week. Go John! - Donna McBride

Kudos to Liz Ontiveros for all the hard work she has done to prepare us for this transition. Staff who have been involved in the

conversion work, power users helping, etc...thank you! This is a big step for us all. The AOC has done an excellent job at keeping

management informed on the status. – Denise Smith

The Justice Journal

A quarterly publication of Pinal County Juvenile Court Services.

Editor: Donna McBride

Graphic Design: Ashley Flores

Ideas for Stories?

Submit to Donna McBride DMcBride@courts.az.gov

2

Chris Beamon, DO/Intake Officer

Chris started with the department in 2012, assigned to the Housing unit and was reassigned to the Intake unit in 2014. Prior to his

joining our Pinal County team, he worked in Gila County as a detention officer, shift supervisor and surveillance officer for a com-

bined 8 years. Chris reports the favorite part of his job is working with his peers.

When Chris is not working, he spends his time with his wife and their spoiled dog (spaniel/poodle mix)

named Murphy. Chris lives in Mesa and is a native Arizonan, originally from Globe. In his spare time,

he enjoys writing fantasy/science fiction books. A past interest of his was Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

fighting. Between his abilities to “tap you out” or exile you to a distant planet in one of his books, best

to stay on his good side! While Chris enjoys all types of music, he prefers classical the most. I suspect

classical music assisted him in his academic studies as he has earned his bachelor’s, and master’s de-

grees. Chris is currently pursuing a second master’s in business administration.

If Chris could witness any event, past-present-future, he stated he would like to peek in on the world

millions of years ago to see dinosaurs as he previously wanted to be a paleontologist. His favorite food

is spaghetti. If Chris could live in any other country, he would choose Ireland because of its rich history and it’s green hillsides.

Chris’s daily contributions to the department are greatly appreciated.

YOUTH JUSTICE CENTER EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHTS

Sarah Pennington is the Pinal County Youth Justice Detention Counselor and has been employed with the Department since Febru-

ary 2017. Sarah grew up in Ohio and is a big Ohio State Buckeye’s fan. Sarah graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Uni-

versity and with her Master’s degree from Edinboro University PA., in Mental Health Counseling.

Sarah moved to Arizona in October 2016 to be close to family. Sarah brings a lot of enthusiasm, passion and

commitment in helping youth succeed. Sarah engages YJC youth in multiple therapeutic approaches includ-

ing talk therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), movement therapy (Basketball, Charades, Jeopardy) and art

therapy (Pictionary, Life Script Posters).

Her therapeutic innovation and ingenuity is a great addition to the department. Sarah conducts groups focus-

ing on impulse control, communication skills, substance abuse, anger management, and numerous other top-

ics.

In addition, Sarah helps kids in crises through de-escalation techniques and providing adequate assessments.

We are fortunate as a department to have Sarah working with the youth of Pinal County!

Chris Tapia, Detention Officer

Chris Tapia is the new face on dayshift at the Youth Justice Center. Please do not let his May of 2017 hire date fool you! He comes

to us with nearly fifteen years’ of experience working with adult and juvenile offenders, both here at PCSO, and in Pima County, at

the Juvenile Detention Center. His experience is demonstrated by the natural ease he has working

with the youth while enforcing detention rules and building professional relationships. He is a great

addition to our team, it almost seems like he has always been here. That is quite an accomplishment in

less than three months!

Chris is a local boy, having been born and raised in Coolidge. He says there is no place he would ra-

ther live. He loves his community and country. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Crista and his

two beautiful children. They were high school sweethearts and have been together twenty years. He

spends his free-time working on his ’64 Impala and playing softball. The one thing he would like to

do, if it ever happens again, is be present at the game, when the Cubs win the World Series.

Sarah Pennington, Counselor

Casa Grande Youth Receive Training

In the Juvenile Probation Office in Casa Grande, they had lots of exciting programming over the summer that allowed juveniles to obtain community restitu-tion work service hours.

In collaboration with the Pinal County Public Health Department, several trainings were provided, including teaching juveniles on how to fill out job applications, resume writing, stress reduction, health and your body, money and your future, etc.

On July 6, 2017, Wildman Phil came out to the office to present information on caring for reptiles, which allowed juveniles to interact with the reptiles. Communi-ty restitution work service was also performed off-site at the Casa Grande Animal Control facility, and graffiti removal was completed throughout the city.

The Casa Grande team has done an excellent job connecting with community re-sources to make opportunities available to the juveniles they serve on probation.

Sheley Beck, Casa Grande Supervisor Photos are courtesy of Sarah Woelfel

Regina Redmond has developed two programming classes for Juvenile Court Services probationary youth. The

feedback from the youth shows they really appreciated the information and enjoyed the classes! Below is a brief

description of some of the life topics covered in the classes.

Money and Your Future – Driver’s License, Money, Finding a job, Occupations and Wages, Budgets, Pur-

chasing/Leasing Car and Housing, Internet and Investing. 4 - 5 hours

Health and your Future – Favorite foods, How many bodies will you have, Reading labels, Food handling,

Why good health is important, Cook books, and Etiquette. 2 Hours

Both classes are presented so they are interactive with lots of discussion, props and informative handouts that Gina

keeps up to date. If you would like Gina to present to your probationers please call her at 866-4030.

Article provided by Barb Baker

LIFE SKILLS PROGRAMMING

Malik participated in the Casa Grande Restorative Justice panel at the request of a diversion officer for a charge of theft (cell phone). The Casa Grande pan-el met with the 12-year-old and during the discussion, they found out that he had an interest in building things. Because of his age, the likelihood of being able to assign him to community service was slim. Instead, Malik was given

the tasks of (1) letter of apology to the victim and (2) construct/build something. He decided on building a bookshelf.

The family had an old desk that broke apart and it was in the garage to be thrown away. He decided to reuse that wood. A family friend helped cut the wood pieces and Malik took on the responsibility to design and complete the rest.

He decided to decorate it with positive messages because he knew it would most likely go to a non-profit agency that helped people. He decorated it and made book markers (on his own) while he was in a wheelchair recovering from knee surgery.

The family was very pleased with the Restorative Justice process and Malik was proud of his ac-complishment. The bookshelf will be donated to the Home of Hope, a women’s shelter in Casa Grande, to be used in their nursery or one of the rooms that house children who live on site with their mothers.

-Ashley Flores

Restorative Justice Success Story

(Photo release signed by parents.)

There have been lots of exciting developments within the Teen Court program. The program was ap-

proved for a grant through the Arizona Office of the Courts (AOC). The funding will be used to pur-

chase supplies, Teen Court shirts, a gavel and for field trips.

Members of the Teen Court Youth Planning Committee have been working diligently over the past

few months to implement this program. The youth volunteers wrote their own Code of Conduct, Oath

of Confidentiality and dress code. They also created power point presentations and visuals to aide in

training jury members.

In July, the Teen Court program collaborated with Student Choice, a credit recovery program. The

school offered its students one credit to attend the Teen Court training. At this training, students were taught how to write opening

and closing statements from both the perspective of prosecution and defense, how to write victim impact statements and how to im-

plement consequences that align with the principals of restorative justice. Professionals within the community helped train the youth

on the roles in the courtroom. The County Attorney Kent Volkmer and Bureau Chief, Tom McDermott presented on the role of pros-

ecution. Approximately 30 youth were in attendance.

An induction/graduation ceremony was held for Teen Court Volunteers on August 10th. The Youth Planning Committee were

awarded coins for their contributions to the program. Teen Court participants took their oath and were presented with their induc-

tion certificates into the Pinal County Teen Court Program and Teen Court Bar Association. Our “Design the Teen Court Logo

Contest” winner Annabelle Dayley was present and also received her award during the ceremony.

Teen Court is slated to begin in late August and will be held the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the

Maricopa Justice Court. Judge Lyle Riggs will be the presiding adult Judge in the courtroom. The youth will take on all other roles

within the court room including, prosecution, defense, court clerk, bailiff, youth judge, victim advocate and jurors. All youth ages 12

to 18 are eligible to participate in the program. Interested youth can enroll by emailing tefuller@courts.az.gov.

-Teresa Fuller

5

TEEN COURT KICKS OFF IN CITY OF MARICOPA

The Department would like to formally congratulate Francisco Ohlmaier on being selected for promotion

into the Standard Probation Officer position assigned to the Florence Office. Francisco brings many years

of diverse juvenile justice experience into his new position.

Francisco began his career with the Department at the Youth Justice Center as a Detention Officer in Janu-

ary of 2016. Francisco will also be co-facilitating structured, engaging, pro-social activities at the Evening

Reporting Center (ERC). This will include NCTI Crossroads curriculum, tutoring, career exploration,

communication and life skills development, and cultural enrichment activities/outings a community-based

alternative for referred youth on juvenile probation from the San Tan Valley area.

- Celena Angstead, Division Director

PROMOTION FOR FRANCISCO OHLMAIER

A slender elderly woman shuffled up the isle to make her way to the witness chair. Her cane helped

carry the burden of her soon to be testimony that had probably landed a few extra gray hairs that

were visible on her head. Once sworn in, she wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders as her

frail voice answered the attorney’s questions.

Might sound like a typical day in a trial at Pinal County Superior Court in Florence? Not on this

day. That lady was actually teenager Lindsey Mau of Apache Junction High School. Lindsey was

showcasing her skills at the Mock Trial Competition hosted by Juvenile Court and its Community

Advisory Board (CAB).

Lindsey was so good in her role as a witness that she made history as one of the best all time wit-

nesses in the competition’s 15 year history. Even the superior court judges who were in the room

that day remember her stellar performance. She came dressed for the part, acted out her role and

demanded the courtroom’s attention. Her team stood out from the competitors by creating life-life

personalities to fictional characters.

That was back in 2005. Fast-forward to 2017. She is now Lindsey M. Lamey, J.D.., married with a

young son. Did her mock trial experience affect her in any way? It must have! This past December

she obtained a Juris Doctor degree and recently took the Arizona Uniform Bar Exam to become an

attorney.

Lindsey reveals that, “Mock Trial influenced my career path by allowing me an opportunity to explore the criminal justice system

through a hypothetical case. After participating on the team, I knew my career path would take me into the world of litigation”.

Another success story is Dennis Hull from Miami High School who was involved with his high school team and now as a senior at

the U.S. Air Force Academy. He’s about to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and undergo training to become a Combat

Systems Officer. Dennis is part of the Mock Trial Team at the CS-28 “Blackbirds” USAF Academy where they have traveled

throughout the country competing.

Dennis said being on the high school team took him out of his comfort zone and allowed him to do some traveling. Reflecting on

the influence the Pinal County Mock Trial Competition had on his career path, Dennis shared that it “did a tremendous amount to

develop public speaking skills and confidence. These skills have been and will continue to be invaluable in helping me speak before

a large audience and give professional briefings.”

The Courthouse hosts roughly 250 middle and high school students in March as educators and family members cheer (silently) the

teams on! The day is fast paced, high energy and nerve racking as the students perform in front of official judges. The day ends with

team and individual awards in each division. Schools register for the free competition in October and then spend over 4 months

practicing, strategizing and perfecting their roles as attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs, etc. Pinal County is the only county in the state

that offers such a competition for middle school and high school students.

The Mock Trial Competition has been growing steadily over the past 15 years thanks to dedicated volunteers and Juvenile Court.

Partnerships with attorneys from the County Attorney’s Office, city courts and justice courts have provided mentoring to our stu-

dents as they perfect their skills. Schools, such as Cactus Middle School under the coaching of teacher Lisa Flores, received an A+

rating because of their program. In fact, Casa Grande Elementary Schools have included a Mock Trial class in their curriculum.

It takes a great deal of time and energy to make the competition happen. But in the end, we provide opportunities to educate about

the justice system, build character, confidence and life-long skills for our students. And the outcome is worth it. Just ask Lindsey

and Dennis!

-Donna McBride

* It should be noted that long time Juvenile Court Services employee Kelly Bohl is the proud mother of Lindsey Lamey!

From the Witness Chair to Law School:

Mock Trial Program Celebrates 15 years of Success

It has been a busy past few months for the research and data analysisunit! We have been collaborating with the Universi ty of Cincinnati on theAZYAS validation study, facilitating focus groups to discuss detentionrepurposing ideas, compiling and analyzing crossover youth data inpreparation for our upcoming Crossover Youth Practice Model (CYPM)launch, working on recommendations for the CYPM Statewide Task Forceon Data and Information Sharing, using data to identi fy racial and ethnicdispari ties at decision making points in our juvenile justice system,rewriting data reports in preparation for JOLTS Az, and so much more. Inthis issue, we would like to highlight some of our JDAI data and provide

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI)

Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) Decision Making Point Analysis

Research

and Data

Analysis

Due to our JDAI efforts , wecontinue to see a decline inthe total number ofdetained youth and theaverage daily population(ADP) of our Youth JusticeCenter (YJC). From FY2016

to FY2017, we saw an 18%decrease in the total # ofdetained youth and a 22%decrease in the ADP.Furthermore, this is thefi rs t year since PinalCounty's JDAIimplementation that wereleased more youth andwe detained; of all theyouth screened at YJC, 51%

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FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017

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YJC Total # of Detained Youth and ADP

Total # Detained Average Daily Population

Relative Rate Index (RRI) Compared to White YouthReporting Period: Jan. 2016 - Dec. 2016

* As ian youth = less than 1% of population; insufficient for individual analysis. ** All Youth of Color (YOC) = African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native

2.63 2.45

3.32 3.493.15

0.95 1.02 0.8 0.75 0.82

1.52 1.51 1.41.65 1.69

CY2012 CY2013 CY2014 CY2015 CY2016

JUVENILE ARRESTS RRI COMPARED TO WHITE YOUTH

African American Hispanic/Latino

To identify racial and ethnicdispari ties at specific decisionmaking point in our juvenilejustice system, we began by

analyzing rates of occurencesat 5 initial decision makingpoints : the point of juvenilearrest, detention, diversioncompletion, referral sent tothe county attorney (CA), andpeti tion filed. We found thatin CY2016, compared to Whiteyouth, African American youthwere 3.15 times as likely to bearrested, 1.28 times as likelyto be detained, 0.88 times aslikely to complete diversion,1.09 times as likely to have areferral sent to the CA, and

1.25 times as likely to have apeti tion filed. We also foundthat all youth of color,compared to white youth, aremore likely to be arrested,lesslikely to be diverted, and morelikely to have a petition filed.These dispari ties wereconsistent in analyses from2012 to 2016.

Our next steps are to identify dispari ties at additional decision making pointssuch as diversion screening and disposition with the goal of utilizing this data todirect the implementation of practices and policies that will reduce racial and

American Probation and Parole Association Appreciation Week!