Commission to Investigate Juvenile Justice Corruption

A new law will create a commission to study a widespread judicial corruption case in Luzerne County. Pennsylvania State Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille calls the scandal, where two judges received millions of dollars in kickbacks for sending children to private juvenile detention centers, “a system failure.”
The newly-formed commission will study the case, and issue a report detailing what went wrong and how to prevent future corruption. Castille says he wants answers from the panel, which will deliver its final report by next May.

"I have never—not only in this state—never in the United States seen a bribery case of this magnitude. And the effect it’s had on these children’s is astounding."

Many of the juveniles who appeared before Judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan did so without legal representation.
Governor Rendell wants the commission to question why that was allowed to happen.

"I think the statistics that I read about people being sentenced to detention without counsel—that alone should have raised a huge red flag somewhere along in this process. And I think the chief is right. That’s something that’s got to be taken into account.

Castille will appoint four members to the commission, and each legislative caucus will send one representative. Governor Rendell will appoint three panelists, as well.