Pennsylvania awards grants to support justice system

Pennsylvania awards grants to support justice system

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved $1.8 million in federal funds to help improve county juvenile court operations.

Most of the money comes from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and will be used by nine counties to hire or retain personnel in order to help speed the processing and to reduce caseload size.

"The funds will provide vital training for court personnel on a variety of juvenile justice issues, including up-to-date information and research on child and adolescent development and treatment programs designed to help juveniles become responsible and productive citizens," says Walter M. Phillips Jr., chairman of PCCD.

"[It is] a wise investment in improving the quality and efficiency within the juvenile court system," he adds.

With stimulus funds being spent across the nation to improve the justice system, career opportunities in the field are expect to continue growing in the years to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that demand for detectives and criminal investigators will increase by an average of 17 percent during the decade of 2006-16.

The median annual earnings are $85,170 in federal government, $68,990 in state government and $68,670 in local government.

Adults looking for a rewarding career change may consider online degree programs in criminal justice.