Overview
Franklin County Juvenile Probation provides general probation supervision, school-based probation supervision, aftercare supervision to juvenile offenders as well as victim services. Probation officers also facilitate numerous diversion and intervention groups to address youth needs.
Mission Statement
Franklin County Juvenile Probation, in partnership with families, is dedicated to reducing recidivism in juvenile offenders by providing individualized interventions through the employment of evidence-based practices focusing equally on holding juvenile offenders accountable, the development of competencies, and protection of the community.
Department Goals
In accordance with the Juvenile Justice Goals outlined and established by the Pennsylvania Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission in 1995, the Franklin County Juvenile Probation Department strives to achieve the following goals of balanced and restorative justice:
- To hold juvenile offenders accountable for offenses committed
- To protect the community from known juvenile offenders
- To assist juvenile offenders in developing competencies
- To develop disposition plans that impose the minimum amount of confinement that is consistent with the protection of the community and rehabilitation needs of the juvenile
What We Do
Franklin County Juvenile Probation, under the direction and guidance of the 39th Judicial District of Pennsylvania, provides probation services to Franklin County youth who fall within the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court under Chapter 63 of the Pennsylvania Criminal Code.
Services
The Juvenile Probation Department is deeply committed to the continued improvement and development of the Juvenile Justice System in Franklin County. Many in-house programs are available to youth and their families in order to effectuate long-term behavioral change and to reduce recidivism.
The Juvenile Probation Department provides:
- General probation supervision
- School-based probation supervision
- Aftercare supervision and
- Victim services probation officers also facilitate numerous diversion and intervention groups to address youth needs.
Referral Process
Making The Initial Referral
Juveniles are referred to the Franklin County Juvenile Probation Department by law enforcement agencies and other juvenile courts. Private citizens, in certain circumstances, may refer a juvenile by scheduling an appointment at the District Attorney’s Office and discussing any allegations of delinquency.
Processing The Referral
Those cases are submitted and approved through the District Attorney’s Office. Probation officers are appointed by the President Judge of Franklin County Court. The officers are committed to providing community protection, youth accountability and victim restoration through the use of evidence-based practices, data-driven decisions, and continuous quality improvement.
Resources
JPO 2023 Annual Report
Franklin County Juvenile Justice Flow Chart
A Family Guide to Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System – English
A Family Guide to Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System – Spanish
Advancing Balanced and Restorative Justice Through Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy
Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy – A Monograph
PA Crime Victims Rights Handbook
Victim/Witness Guide
JPO Times – July 2023
JPO Times – March 2023
JPO Times – November 2022
Related Pages
Department Staff
The Juvenile Probation Department consists of the chief, the deputy chief, two supervisors, 16 probation officers, a balanced and restorative justice coordinator, and two support staff. All juvenile officers are required to have a Bachelor’s degree. Several officers have a Master’s degree through the Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission (CJC) graduate program.
Richard Ackerman
Chief
Angela Mackley
Deputy Chief
Ciaira Brown
Juvenile Probation Officer II
Jenna Eaton
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Heather Evans
B.A.R.J. Coordinator
Brandon Goshorn
Supervisor
Benjamin Hardic
Juvenile Probation Officer III
James Hepler
Supervisor
Eric Hewitt
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Dora Housekeeper
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Brian Kaspick
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Chance Kelley
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Erin Kramer
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Thomas McGraw
Juvenile Probation Officer II
Victoria Meiklejohn
Juvenile Probation Officer I
Jenna Richards
Juvenile Probation Officer II
Zachary Stahl
Juvenile Probation Officer I
Joseph Wetzel
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Kimberly Whitsel
Juvenile Probation Officer III
Tara Whitsel
Juvenile Probation Officer III
