Peter Forbes’ long-standing service to Massachusetts DYS began in January of 1983 when he was first hired as a direct-care worker at a long-term secure treatment program in Boston. Peter went on to serve as the DYS Regional Director in Boston for more than 10 years. In that role, he established a series of constructive relationships with public agency and community-based partners. Peter was appointed Commissioner of Massachusetts DYS in 2013.
Priorities for the agency under Peter’s stewardship included educational attainment and employment and training opportunities for the youth in the custody of the Department with the long term goal of improving public safety and reducing recidivism. Peter focused on ensuring that services at DYS were developmentally appropriate and transferable as youth return to their home communities. Under Peter’s leadership, DYS involved youth realized significant success related to their academic achievement. Peter additionally focused agency planning around the concept of fairness with the understanding that if youth (and families) perceive their interaction with juvenile justice professionals as fair they will be more likely to internalize positive change.
Peter holds a Master of Science in Human Services from the College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.