Ledyard — A new option for certain teenage offenders, which keeps them out of the juvenile court system and gives them access to social services, has been resurrected in town after a 10-year absence.

Called a Juvenile Review Board, the voluntary committee in Ledyard will devise a way to reconcile the juvenile offender and the community — making amends through tasks like community service, as well as giving the youth access to social support that can help correct the behavior.

Kerensa Mansfield, who runs the Ledyard Prevention Coalition — a grant-funded organization aimed at mitigating substance-abuse issues in the community — spearheaded the effort to revive the board over the summer.

Waterford and New London both have active Juvenile Review Boards, as well as neighboring North Stonington.

Youth offenders will be eligible only if they commit the offense in town, have no prior record in the juvenile court system, have the permission of their parents and admit their wrongdoing, according to Mansfield.

While the decision to refer a case to the review board ultimately rests with the police, some cases that could be considered include underage drinking, spray painting, other vandalism, drug use and possibly fighting, Mansfield said.

She first discussed the idea with Ledyard Middle School Principal Christopher Pomroy, who worked on a Juvenile Review Board as principal of Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School.

The old juvenile review board fell apart due to lack of use around 2005, said Mayor Mike Finkelstein, who served as a police department representative at the time. Then, the board comprised a school and police representative, and five at-large community members.

Since then, the state legislature has raised the age separating the juvenile and adult court systems from 16 to 18 years and held "continuous discussion about the criminal culpability for kids in adolescent years considering brain development," Ledyard Chief of Police John Rich said. 

The change means the new board may be better poised to help more juvenile offenders, he said.

Pomroy said it was "very helpful in the past for students who have gone down a certain path."

The Juvenile Court system "doesn't address the issue that may be going on with the student," he said. On a review board case, school representatives and a parent give the board a full picture of the child's home and school life.

For example, students with spotty attendance records at school may need different resources than students who attend regularly, he said.

Before hearing a case, the board will convene and Ledyard Youth Services Coordinator Kate Sikorski will give an overview of the offense being heard.

Members will discuss what they think the goals should be for the child, who will then come before the board with a parent to present the case and answer questions.

"It's a very intimidating and awkward situation. You look at all your community members sitting around and volunteering their time so that you don't have to go to court and have a record," Pomroy said. "I think it sends a really clear message that we're raising them, we're trying to influence them in a way that helps them make better choices in the future."

Representatives from local social services agencies on the board will include the state Department of Children and Families, state Juvenile Justice System and town Youth Services Department. The high school or middle school principal, school resource officer or police chief also will be represented.

A representative from DCF could point to open substance-abuse treatment programs, or recommend a psychiatric evaluation, while Youth Services could direct the juvenile to counseling, Sikorski said. Police can bring their knowledge of the Juvenile Court system to tell the individual what penalties they would face if they had been charged.

"We're hoping that everyone can bring their piece of knowledge," she said.

The board could recommend anything from an apology letter to community service.

Anywhere from a few weeks to six months later, the board will then check in with the youth and decide whether the conditions have been met and the case can be closed.

The board is planning its first meeting for Nov. 14, and may take a case if there has been a referral. In the meantime, the police department is finalizing its referral policy.

Mansfield cited one case she saw where an individual was given community service in a fire station, made a connection and now wants to be a firefighter.

"This is an opportunity to get something from what they've done," Mansfield said. "It's a learning experience."

n.lynch@theday.com