News Americas, Philadelphia, PA, Tuesday January 10, 2017: Jamaican-born Michelle Neil was recently appointed to the State of Pennsylvania’s Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) by Governor Tom Wolf.
The Commission, chaired by Josh Shapiro, initiates, validates and financially supports justice related programs in Pennsylvania’s justice system. PCCD’s efforts help to protect and support crime victims, enhance law enforcement and to empower communities through collaboration. The Commission also works on advocating for safe schools, provides technological and information-sharing tools and launches evidence-based innovative programs.
Neil is a graduate of Holy Child Hood High School in Kingston, Jamaica and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Temple University and a Master’s of Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary.
She is currently the Senior Victim/Witness Advocate in the Juvenile Court Unit of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. As part of her duties, she handles hundreds of cases; mostly involving assaults, burglaries, robberies, motor vehicle thefts, and sexual assaults. Neil began her career at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in 2003 as a Victim/Witness Coordinator.
In addition to her duties at the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, she is also an Adjunct Professor of Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice at Harcum College.
In 2011, Neil received “The 2011 Excellence in Victim Services Award” from the Honorable R. Seth Williams, District Attorney of Philadelphia. In 2013, she received the “2013 Volunteer Award” from Team Jamaica-Bickle-Philadelphia and serves as Treasurer of Team Jamaica Bickle-Philadelphia.
