Probation Services - Juvenile Probation - BARJ
John Marcischak
Supervisor and BARJ Coordinator
100 West Beau Street
Suite 409
Washington, PA 15301
Primary Phone: 724-228-6794
Fax: 724-250-6533
The focus of the Washington County Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) initiative is to expand the parameters of justice. The responsibility of the juvenile justice system for delivering impartial, equal, and fair treatment to the offender shall be broadened to include providing balanced attention and services to the juvenile offender, the crime victim, and the communities of Washington County. This mission is dedicated to providing new programs and services, supported by ongoing research and program output evaluation that address the needs of the community, the victim and the offender. In addition, the employees and the community volunteers of the BARJ initiative are seen as being the nucleus from which all programs develop to serve this mission within the community.
It is envisioned that as the community becomes pro-active with the offender a safer, healthier, and more cohesive community will result.
Specifically, the BARJ initiative shall take an active roll in the following program elements:
- Services to victims: The initiative shall help establish and coordinate a mediation process between the victim and the offender and/or the community and the offender
- Community protection: The initiative shall develop internal control elements such as providing electronic monitoring programs and/or formulating built-in sanctioning structures that utilize a continuum of sanctioning options. An emphasis shall be placed on reintegrating the offender into the community-based programming in lieu of placement and/or as an early step-down from placement
Competency Development for delinquent youth:
The initiative shall establish the structure within which counseling, education, partnerships with employers and other activities will be provided to assist and enable juveniles to become more self-competent.
By encouraging greater participation by the victim and the community-at-large in the decision-making process the county BARJ initiative provides the arena in which rational solutions to juvenile crime problems can be nurtured and in which the statewide BARJ mandate can become the pivotal function. It is essential that the BARJ initiative foster accountability and participation by all involved parties.
Staff