About 150 advocates packed a Georgetown Law School lecture hall Thursday to make quick presentations to or ask questions of a five-member panel:
Washington Post writer Chris Jenkins, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch, Pennsylvania State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R), Georgetown Law Professor Kristin Henning and juvenile Judge Jay Blitzman of Lowell, Mass. Presenters had already submitted ideas in writing to the panel, which were put together in a book that was distributed to attendees. Click here.
On page 122 of the book, a panel member addressed in a letter to the new elected President [Obama] recommendations for the OJJDP and the next OJJDP Adminstrator. Click here. The panel member discussed quality of characteristics of OJJDP Administrator, priorities of OJJDP in the next 4 years, a need for transparency, oversight, and accountability to the President, state, public and Congress and so on.
Former OJJDP Administrator Shay Bilchik said in his closing remarks that the new Obama administration should get an acting administrator into OJJDP as soon as possible, perhaps someone from within the current program staff at the agency.
As to date, current OJJDP Administrator J. Robert Flores is under investigation with the Overight Committee and the Inspector General. And it looks like Flores may remain in his position until the new elected President Obama is sworn in or if another shoe drops in Flores' scandal and he leaves his position. Obama is still naming individuals to be part of his Administration. No word when he will name his pick for Attorney General. We hope that will be soon.
Here is a Youtube video of Mr. Bilchik's past accomplishments under the OJJDP as the former OJJDP Administrator and current accomplishment after serving under the DOJ. It is too bad Flores took away the pride of that division. Hopefully, Obama will restore the integrity back into OJJDP.
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