Luzerne County Children and Youth Programs to Benefit from Court Decision

PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency to Administer $2.15 Million Award 

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency will distribute $2.15 million in funds resulting from the Luzerne County case involving judicial kickbacks and two for-profit youth detention centers.

Senior U.S. District Judge Edwin M. Kosik has designated the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency as administrator of the funds, Mark Zimmer, PCCD chairman announced today.

"Unfortunately, this money will never right the wrongs inflicted on the youth and their families who were victimized,'' Zimmer said. "But it will help the community move forward by investing in programs and initiatives that will benefit the children and youth living in Luzerne County today."

In 2009, two Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas judges were charged with federal racketeering and related crimes. A cooperating defendant involved in the scheme pleaded guilty and, as part of his sentence, has agreed to pay $2.15 million toward programs that benefit the welfare of youth in Luzerne County.

The money will be allocated through a competitive grant process. Research-based projects which have proven to be effective will receive priority consideration. Funds may be requested to implement or expand community-based programs including -- but not limited to -- initiatives to help prevent delinquency and lower truancy rates; improve the coordination of youth services in Luzerne County; and provide opportunities for community partnerships to teach youth new skills.

PCCD is the state's leading agency for criminal and juvenile justice policy issues.  The agency helps to coordinate the work of state and local justice agencies by increasing communications, distributing state and federal crime prevention funding, strengthening communities, supporting essential law enforcement support services, and offering financial support to victims of crime. For more information, visit www.pccd.state.pa.us or call 717-705-0888.

Media contact: Melanie Horvath, 717-265-8470

SOURCE Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency