The policy changes at the Department of Juvenile Services announced this week have been met with praise by some elected leaders, including top prosecutors from around the state, but the shifts have also raised questions.

Tuesday, DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi announced changes in the way the agency handles young people accused of committing crimes. Under the policy change, a juvenile who is accused of committing a violent felony will be placed on electronic monitoring, and if a juvenile already on electronic monitoring is accused of committing a violent felony, they would then be detained.

“The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is focused on promoting accountability, rehabilitation, and preventing justice-involved young people from reoffending,” said DJS Secretary Vincent Schiraldi in a statement.

DJS declined an interview request to discuss the latest policy shift.

The reaction was swift. Gov. Wes Moore said the changes were “important announcements to make sure there are real measures of accountability,” but said he understands there’s more work to be done.

“We believe we have to continue coordinating and continue working together to make the system work better. We know we have work to do,” Gov. Moore said. “We have to make sure people are accountable for their actions and we plan on working with anybody who wants to be a serious partner in this work.”

Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott issued a statement following the news of the policy shift, calling the changes “simple, common-sense adjustments that will better serve everyone.”

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy questioned how the ankle monitoring program would work, given the concerns surrounding juveniles already wearing a monitoring going on to commit more crimes.

“We have seen cases here and certainly in Baltimore where children who were on ankle monitors committed further crimes,” Braveboy said. “So, really ensuring that those monitoring devices are being actually monitored and they’re working and DJS is responsive when an ankle monitor is no longer working, or a young person is in violation of their monitor agreement.”

Wednesday, FOX45 News asked DJS if the agency can handle a potential influx of juveniles on home monitoring. DJS did not provide that information.

“The change in policy mandates that a young person who is currently electronically monitored be detained if accused of another violent crime. Before the policy change, some were still detained but that determination was not mandatory,” a DJS spokesperson said via statement when asked to explain the policy before the change.

Ivan Bates, Baltimore City’s State’s Attorney, said the changes are welcomed, but remains concerned with how the intake process works within DJS. Currently, DJS makes the decision about detention, or supervision, at intake.

“We’re the lawyers. DJS are not the lawyers so sometimes they look at things differently with our analysis under the law. That is frustrating,” Bates said.