Staff Reports
District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb has put forward a new bill to improve the city’s Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services. This move comes as concerns grow over the increasing rate of juvenile crime in the city. Schwalb emphasized the importance of holding young offenders accountable for their actions and expressed his worry about the department’s current effectiveness.
In his statement, Schwalb noted the pressing need for action to address the rising crime rates across all eight Wards in the city. He stressed that it is crucial for young people who break the law to face consequences, but also highlighted the importance of providing intervention and supervision to prevent re-offending and help them become productive members of the community.
The proposed Recidivism Reduction, Oversight, and Accountability for DYRS Act aims to require the department to revamp its methods for rehabilitating young criminals. Additionally, it seeks to grant district courts greater authority to intervene when the department fails to provide adequate services to juveniles and establish permanent independent oversight over the department.
The introduction of this legislation comes at a time when Washington has been grappling with a surge in crime, much of which involves juvenile offenders. The attorney general pointed to a study showing a high rate of rearrest among juveniles committed to the department, underscoring the urgency of the proposed reforms.
Given the concerning statistics and the need for improved outcomes, the bill introduced by Attorney General Schwalb seeks to address the issues within the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services and enhance public safety in the District of Columbia.
