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Pinellas-Pasco Judge, Local Officials To Mull Report On Juveniles

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TBO.com

Published: August 13, 2008

CLEARWATER - Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Irene Sullivan is calling county officials together to try to improve diversion programs for juvenile offenders.

Sullivan plans to meet today with about 30 people to discuss recommendations in the Getting Smart About Juvenile Justice in Florida report recently presented to Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature, court spokesman Ron Stuart said.

She was one of two judges on the 25-member statewide Blueprint Commission that wrote the report after holding public hearings across the state.

Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch and representatives from the sheriff's office and several child welfare agencies and foundations are expected at the meeting at 4 p.m. today at the Criminal Justice Center, 14250 49th St. N., Stuart said. Another meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26.

The Blueprint Commission focused on concerns about juvenile offender recidivism, the number of minority youths in the criminal system and the growth of crime involving girls.

The commission came up with 52 recommendations Sullivan hopes to implement in the next several years. The goal is to save tax money by diverting juveniles away from detention facilities and into other programs.

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