DJS Leadership Shake-Up Met with 'Better Late than Never' Response

Reaction is pouring in from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle after Gov. Wes Moore announced Vincent Schiraldi will no longer lead the Department of Juvenile Services .

The news came via news release after 6 p.m. Monday from Gov. Moore’s Office as he announced Betsy Fox Tolentino was named acting DJS Secretary.

“We knew when we took office that the Department of Juveniles Services was one of the most troubled in all of State government. We need to continue to move fast and diligently in order to turn it around,” Gov. Moore said via statement. “I am pleased that Betsy Fox Tolentino has raised her hand to serve and will lead the department during the next critical phase of this work."

Her focus on safety for all communities is defined by executional excellence, accountability for justice-involved youth, support for the staff who serve them, and sturdy grounding in the law is exactly what we need at this moment, Gov. Moore continued.

Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat from Baltimore City, thanked Schiraldi for his time in office and said he looks forward to meeting with Tolentino during the confirmation process.

“Ms. Tolentino's experience in successful operations at the Department of Juvenile Services will be important to the next phase of the work for the agency. Her organizational management skills will be an asset to reform,” Sen. Ferguson said via statement. “I look forward to meeting with her to gain a better understanding of her vision to enhance accountability, rehabilitation, and collaboration within the justice system for young people in Maryland.”

Tolentino currently works at The Roca Impact Institute working to scale young adult justice projects with regional and national partnerships. The work “has enabled Tolentino to see and inform some of the best juvenile justice efforts in the country,” according to Gov. Moore’s Office.

Prior to her work with Roca, Tolentino worked as a deputy secretary within DJS under former Secretary Sam Abed. In 2021, she was named deputy secretary of community operations following the legislatively created position to oversee pre-adjudication services, community supervision, equity and inclusion, and the resource office.

“Betsy Tolentino brings a great deal of experience working on issues related to juvenile justice in Maryland. She has worked at both DJS and private organizations that rehabilitate kids in the juvenile justice system,” said Del. Luke Clippinger, a Democrat from Baltimore City and chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “I look forward to working with her and the governor as they work to improve programming and outcomes at the Department of Juvenile Services.”

Republicans applauded Gov. Moore, though some argued the decision didn’t come soon enough.

“Unfortunately, I think the governor could have made this decision a lot earlier,” Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said during an interview with FOX45 News. “Change of leadership is welcome, but it doesn't erase the damage that's already been done under Schiraldi’s leadership.”

Right now, DJS is still in disarray, morale is shattered, staff is leaving, public confidence has eroded. And that's just because there's been a culture of mismanagement, Sen. Hershey said.

Recently, FOX45 News reported that a longtime DJS employee provided some insight into what happens in some facilities, including assaults on staff members, serious injuries, fights among juveniles, and drug use.

House Republicans also welcomed the news that Schiraldi is leaving his position. House Minority Leader Jason Buckel said Schiraldi “demonstrated that he was not the right person to address the ongoing challenges” within the agency.

“Hopefully, his departure signals the closing of a frustrating and dangerous chapter in the department and our neighborhoods,” Del. Buckel’s statement continued. “We look forward to working with Acting Secretary Tolentino to find common ground to make our children, and our communities, safe.”

Quarterly monitor reports have repeatedly indicated staffing shortages within DJS, moral problems plaguing facilities, and contraband issues. In December, an independent report revealed DJS didn’t have the proper metrics in place to track performance outcomes for programs it sends juveniles to under its supervision. And most recently, an audit revealed DJS did not ensure criminal background checks were completed on contractors working directly with juveniles.

“While it would have been in the best interests of public safety if Governor Moore had pressed Mr. Schiraldi to leave some time ago, we look at this as a ‘better-late-than-never’ situation,” Del. Jesse Pippy, House Minority Whip, said via news release. “The State of Maryland is safer without Mr. Schiraldi at the helm of the Department of Juvenile Services. It is time to move forward.”

Tolentino will serve as acting secretary, effective June 11, according to Gov. Moore’s Office. She will be subject to the full Senate confirmation process.

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