HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Base officials recently discussed the Juvenile Correction Board during a Community Action Board meeting with senior leaders from across the installation.
The correction board provides standardized disciplinary services and procedures for dealing with juvenile misconduct on the installation.
“The 66th Security Forces Squadron often sees an increase in juvenile misconduct following the end of the school year,” said Maj. Brett Skates, 66 SFS commander.
To deter this behavior, Hanscom officials have the authority to initiate the Juvenile Corrections Board Program to improve youth conduct and deter potential youth violators.
“The installation commander, Col. Chad Ellsworth, has the authority to initiate the JCB to rehabilitate dependent children living at Hanscom Air Force Base before their behavior requires intervention from local law enforcement,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth Ferland, 66th Air Base Group deputy commander, who chairs the JCB.
In addition to Ferland, other correction board members include representatives from Youth Services, Security Forces and the Legal Office.
According to 66th Air Base Group Instruction 31-801, “participation in the JCB is voluntary; however, failure to participate may result in referral of the case to Federal Magistrate Court or barment from Hanscom AFB.”
“The installation commander may suspend or revoke base privileges of any juvenile or adult whose behavior is inappropriate or detrimental to good order and discipline,” said Skates. “Living on Hanscom is a privilege and the JCB is a resource for Hanscom leadership and parents to use when needed to help ensure a positive living environment.”
The installation commander may revoke Commissary and AAFES privileges, base housing privileges or, in the most severe cases, even the privilege to enter Hanscom Air Force Base.
Officials encourage parents to promote participation in summer programs at the Youth Center or involvement in similar programs off base.
“The Hanscom Youth Center offers children programs and activities throughout the summer,” said Scott Craver, 66 FSS Child and Youth Services Flight chief. “Members can participate in numerous fun-filled programs.”
The Hanscom Youth Center, affiliated with the Boys and Girls Club of America, offers a wide variety of programs for children ages 9 to 18 years old.
For further information about the Youth Center, visit https://www.hanscomfss.com/school-age-youth or “like” the Hanscom AFB Youth Programs Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Hanscom-AFB-Youth-Programs.
Hanscom SFS personnel will also continue to enforce the Hanscom youth curfew policy throughout the summer months.
Children under the age of 18 who are unaccompanied by an adult are restricted from being outdoors Sunday through Thursday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. and Friday, Saturday and the night before a federal holiday, from midnight to 6 a.m., according to the policy.
“We ask parents to enforce the base curfew and be familiar with similar on-base policies,” said Staff Sgt. Jessica Lindblom, noncommissioned officer in charge of Police Services.
To learn more about the supervision policy, contact the Family Advocacy Program at 781-225-6385.
For further information about on-base policies relating to law enforcement, contact Police Services at 781-225-5605.
To review 66th Air Base Group Instruction 31-801 on the secure 66 ABG SharePoint site.