Number
151053
Version
SUBSTITUTE 2
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. DAVIS, ZIELINSKI, STAMPER AND MURPHY
Title
Substitute resolution creating the Advisory Board of the Milwaukee Youth Council’s Restorative Justice Initiative.
Analysis
This resolution creates the Milwaukee Youth Council’s Restorative Justice Initiative Advisory Board. The Board shall consist of the following 7 members:
1. One member of the Milwaukee Youth Council, appointed by the Youth Council President.
2. The Common Council President or the President’s designee.
3. One member of the community with juvenile justice experience, appointed by the Mayor.
4. One representative of Milwaukee Public Schools, appointed by the superintendent.
5. One member of the Milwaukee Police Department, appointed by the Chief of Police.
6. The Director of the Community Development Grants Administration, or the Director’s designee.
7. The Presiding Judge of the Milwaukee Municipal Court or the Presiding Judge’s designee.
This resolution further requires that all members of the Advisory Board be confirmed by the Common Council.
Body
Whereas, Each year, the Milwaukee Police Department issues thousands of in-school municipal citations to youth for ordinance violations; and
Whereas, During the 2014-2015 school year, 88% of in-school youth citations were issued for truancy, disorderly conduct and possession of marijuana; and
Whereas, Many juvenile citations are not paid, leading to juvenile warrants, juvenile judgements and the suspension of juvenile driver’s licenses; and
Whereas, Of the 1,932 juvenile judgements in 2014, 1,053 (54.5%) resulted in driver’s license suspensions; and
Whereas, Juvenile judgements declined by over 45% between 2011 and 2014, but the proportion of judgements resulting in driver’s license suspensions increased nearly 19% over this same time; and
Whereas, According to data provided by the Municipal Court, as of August 6, 2015, over 5,700 municipal warrants are outstanding, nearly 75% of which are related to truancy; and
Whereas, The principle of restorative justice focuses on repairing and rebuilding relationships by emphasizing stakeholders’ roles in the criminal justice process, instead of merely satisfying abstract legal principles; and
Whereas, Numerous studies, including a 2009 meta-analysis, have demonstrated that restorative justice programs produce positive effects for both victims and offenders, including the reduction of recidivism; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Youth Council has developed an outline for a restorative justice program to provide a community-based and youth-centered alternative to existing, formal juvenile justice processes for certain young, first-time offenders; and
Whereas, Through its proposed Restorative Justice Initiative, the Milwaukee Youth Council hopes to achieve the following goals:
1. Accountability: Offenders avoid establishing criminal records, but are still held accountable for their actions.
2. Youth empowerment: Youth gain a deeper understanding of legal issues, learn about responsible citizenship and develop a positive image within the community.
3. Behavioral outcomes: A growing body of research suggests that youth respond more positively to their families, peers, schools and communities than to the traditional juvenile justice system.
4. Cost savings: Restorative justice programs may be more cost-effective than traditional juvenile justice programs, especially when considering the potential to reduce recidivism.
; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Youth Council also seeks to build trust, develop relationships and foster awareness within the community regarding restorative justice (broadly) and juvenile justice (specifically); and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Youth Council has informally discussed its proposal with various stakeholders, including the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Public Schools, and seeks to formalize its proposal through the creation of a Restorative Justice Initiative Advisory Board; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Milwaukee Youth Council’s Restorative Justice Initiative Advisory Board is created to support the development, implementation and operation of the Initiative; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Advisory Board shall be responsible for the following:
1. Formalizing and reviewing the practices and procedures of the Initiative.
2. Developing community support and outreach efforts.
3. Making recommendations regarding the recruitment, selection and training of adult and youth volunteers to the Initiative.
4. Advising adults and youth in matters relating to restorative processes.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Advisory Board shall consist of the following 7 members:
1. One member of the Milwaukee Youth Council, appointed by the Youth Council President.
2. The Common Council President or the President’s designee.
3. One member of the community with juvenile justice experience, appointed by the Mayor.
4. One representative of Milwaukee Public Schools, appointed by the MPS Superintendent.
5. One member of the Milwaukee Police Department, appointed by the Chief of Police.
6. The Director of the Community Development Grants Administration, or the Director’s designee.
7. The Presiding Judge of the Milwaukee Municipal Court or the Presiding Judge’s designee.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That each member of the Advisory Board shall be confirmed by the Common Council; and, be it
Further Resolved, That each member of the Advisory Board shall serve two-year terms, except that youth representatives shall serve one-year terms; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Advisory Board shall meet as often as necessary, but no less frequently than each quarter, to monitor and support the Initiative; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Advisory Board shall select a chair and vice-chair from among its members at its first regular meeting by a majority vote of the Board, and may select other officers as it sees fit; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Advisory Board may adopt rules and procedures governing its own internal organization and operation and to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk’s Office shall provide staff assistance to the Advisory Board.
Requester
Drafter
LRB157563-3
Andrew R. VanNatta
02/09/2016