Maryland's juvenile justice system has long stood as an example of the failure of State Government.   Far from rehabilitating juvenile offenders, Maryland's overcrowded, violent, and dilapidated facilities have been a training ground for abuse and criminal activity.   In 2004, the U.S. Department of Justice took Maryland into federal court because of conditions at the State's juvenile facilities .   Since becoming chair of the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee in 2005, Senator Frosh has made juvenile justice a priority.   His goal is a system that to the extent possible, routes juvenile offenders into smaller, regional facilities equipped with the resources to provide a full range of educational and rehabilitative services.

Some Juvenile Justice bills sponsored or cosponsored by Senator Frosh:

SENATE BILL 543 (2004 session):   Department of Juvenile Services - Facilities and Reform Progress Reporting

SENATE BILL 163 (2004 session):   Juvenile Law - Waiver of Counsel

Related news:
Fixing Juvenile Justice in Md.
Op-Ed
By Sen. Brian Frosh
Sunday, May 9, 2004 - Washington Post

New Calls For Closure of Juvenile Facilities
U.S. Report Sharpens Focus on Md. Centers
By Cameron W. Barr
Sunday, April 18, 2004 - Washington Post