Prevention Programs & Initiatives

Community Based Justice

The Community Based Justice Program [CBJ], is a statutorily mandated school-based initiative designed to bring together school personnel, public safety professionals, and social service providers in each community. CBJ meetings are convened by a member of the Middlesex District Attorney's Office and provide a forum to share information about court-involved students.  Under M.G.L. c.12, §32(a), Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone operates a CBJ program to coordinate efforts of the criminal justice system in addressing juvenile justice.  The focus of the program is to devise proactive ways to intervene in the lives of at-risk youth and help steer them away from crime and violence. As a result, not only does CBJ help address the needs of court-involved students, but the meetings also foster a safer learning environment for all youth.

CBJ has become a national model for violence prevention in our communities and schools.  At each meeting, Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the program, local law enforcement agencies, schools, probation and court representatives and, where appropriate, the Department of Children and Families, Department of Youth Services and Department of Mental Health Representatives, discuss court involved youth as well as individual students whose conduct has raised concerns about their health, safety and well-being. This "conduct driven discussion" helps the schools, the police and the District Attorney's Office work together to take preventive steps and intervene in addressing problems in the community before a juvenile's conduct leads to negative consequences.

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