In the fall of 2007, dialogue began within the Adams County Court of Common Pleas in regards to the pressure being placed on the criminal justice system as a result of a growing population in the county. Part of the strain being felt was due to the increased demands for services by the public in a time where resources were becoming more and more limited. The desire to provide efficient criminal justice services was conflicting with the ability to effectively organize and fund such initiatives.

It became apparent, that in order to provide the dignified, respectful and efficient services desired, that a forum would need to exist where stakeholders in the local criminal justice system could effectively discuss and organize initiatives. Therefore, the Adams County Criminal Justice Advisory Board was formed in the fall of 2007 by public officials as the forum that could effectively address the issues facing the criminal justice system locally while responsibly addressing the needs of the Adams County citizenry.

With the assistance of the Davison Group, Inc., in Mechanicsburg, PA, the Adams County Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB) started a very detailed self-examination of priority issues and goals within the criminal justice system in Adams County. The overall result was the creation of the first CJAB Strategic Plan in 2009. Since that time an annual review has been conducted by the CJAB and the priority issues have been updated and new initiatives have been started and successfully completed.

have been updated and new initiatives have been started and successfully completed.

Because of the efforts of many of the CJAB stakeholders who have made up the CJAB over the years, the Adams County Criminal Justice Advisory Board has achieved a statewide reputation for professionalism, efficiency, and innovation within Pennsylvania. This reputation was earned by taking seriously the need to periodically assess the local criminal justice system's performance and to identify new and innovative ways of more effectively delivering quality services as efficiently as possible. In 2015, the CJAB was awarded with its highest honor by being recognized by the County Commissioner Association and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency with the "PA's Best Practices Award".

Progress continues to be made within the CJAB going into 2017. Participation by voting members, associate members and community representatives remains strong and efforts have been made to increase the local participation levels over the years; especially among the law enforcement and educational communities. The Adams County CJAB will continue to strive towards providing dignified, respectful and efficient services to the people of Adams County, as well as providing a responsible and effective criminal justice system locally. One primary way of succeeding in this goal is to adhere to the principle established in the CJAB's Vision and Mission statement adopted in 2010.