County Criminal Justice Panel To Convene On Friday

Members of the Potter County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) will meet on Friday afternoon to continue work on a strategic plan and hear more information about Teen Challenge. The board consists of many of those who are involved in criminal justice, including the judge, district attorney, public defender, magisterial district judges, commissioners, sheriff/jail warden, probation department, human services, law enforcement and others.

During a workshop in October, CJAB members identified three priority issues that should be addressed by a comprehensive action plan: drug abuse, mental health issues and recidivism. Findings from the October session will be discussed at Friday’s meeting.

Board members will also hear from Kurt Tarkington, director of the Teen Challenge induction center in Western New York. Teen Challenge is an alternative rehabilitation program. Its mission is: “to provide youth, adults and families with an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life-controlling drug and alcohol problems in order to become productive members of society. By applying biblical principles, Teen Challenge endeavors to help people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive.”