Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

An Organizational and Philosophical History

The origins of juvenile justice in Maryland can be traced back hundreds of years to early colonial times when children were jailed with adults when their only "crime" may have been homelessness. The role of today's Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) stems from the nineteenth century when Maryland first established institutions to reform delinquent youth. In 1830, the State adopted the radical policy of separating juvenile delinquents from adult criminals. The Legislature passed "An Act to Establish A House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents" creating for the first time an authority to provide troubled children with homes, education and job training.

The concept of the House of Refuge, however, did not become a physical reality until 1850. After 20 years of virtually no progress, since the 1830 statute, the Managers of the House of Refuge reorganized themselves, and laid the cornerstone of the building on October 27, 1851 (First Annual Report 1851). Funding remained a problem, so building proceeded slower than anticipated. But by 1854, the Managers anticipated being ready to admit 300 juvenile inmates as early as May or June 1855 (Third Annual Report 1853). The historical reference to the 1850 date comes from Chapter 374, Acts of 1849, which was actually passed March 7, 1850 and considered a renewal of the original charter passed in 1830. Final passage of that act provided impetus to the long languishing project and permitted the Managers to move forward with building the House of Refuge. The House of Refuge became operational in December 1855.

Between 1850 and 1882, Maryland built four facilities for young people. These four "reform schools" were governed by private boards and segregated by race and sex. All four were eventually organized as training schools and brought under one central administration.

In the 1920s, mission of one of the Maryland reform schools was "to educate and reform boys who are committed as street beggars, vagrants, incorrigible, criminal or who are placed here by parents, guardians or friends." Fortunately, much has changed. Children are no longer committed to juvenile detention facilities because they are poor; they are not segregated by skin color; nor can they be dropped off by a parent or friend.

Over the years, Maryland has significantly changed the way it cares for troubled youth. During the 1960s, the State's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene organized the Juvenile Services Administration (JSA) to administer all schools, youth detention centers, forestry camps, and probation/aftercare programs. In 1987, JSA became an independent agency, and by 1989, was restructured as a "cabinet-level" department.

Juvenile justice has evolved from a system that primarily provided custodial care to a comprehensive service delivery system which provides for a range of programs and services designed to address the needs of the diverse population served.

DJS utilizes a continuum of services and treatment for juveniles who have broken the law. With an expanded community-based focus, treatment and programs include: assigning youth to probation, home detention and monitoring, court-ordered community services, victim restitution, and counseling.

Not all young people, however, can be treated effectively in a community-based program. The Department operates secure residential programs for youth who may pose a risk to themselves or to public safety.

Historical Evolution

Department of Juvenile Services

Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School

Montrose School

Cheltenham Youth Facility

Barrett School for Girls

Victor Cullen Center

Youth Centers

Thomas J. S. Waxter Children's Center

Patterson House (Group Home for Girls)

Alfred D. Noyes Children's Center

William Donald Schaefer House (Group Home for Boys)

Maryland Youth Residence Center

J. DeWeese Carter Center

Residential Services

Sources: Maryland Manual, 3-Year Plan, Board of Managers Report May 1995