Established as part of the 2018 Criminal Justice Reform Law,
the 21-member board will be responsible for evaluating policies and procedures
related to the juvenile justice system in Massachusetts, including
community-based services and the quality and accessibility of diversion
programs available to juveniles. The
board will work to ensure that these policies promote the best interests of
children and young adults who fall under the supervision of the juvenile court
system, while also taking steps to improve transparency and accountability in state-funded
services.
“Making sure individuals caught up in the juvenile justice
system have an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves is critical to ensuring
that they become productive members of society and avoid a life of crime,” said
Representative Jones. “I am confident Tim
will be an asset to the board as it seeks to carry out its mission to promote
public safety and reduce recidivism among youthful offenders.”
As a member of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board,
Whelan will also serve on the Childhood Trauma Task Force. Working closely with the Office of the Child
Advocate, members of the task force will develop recommendations for providing
services to help children recover from the psychological damage caused by
exposure to violence, crime or maltreatment.
Both the board and the task force will file annual reports and
recommendations with the Governor, the Legislature and the Chief Justice of the
Trial Court.
Whelan is a former Marine and a retired State Police
Sergeant with 26 years of law enforcement experience. He was first elected to the Massachusetts
House of Representatives in 2014, and represents the First Barnstable District
towns of Barnstable, Brewster, Dennis and Yarmouth.
