A recent conversation with a group of friends reminded me that discussions about money are complicated and can move easily from discussion to heated argument. I said that more public funds should be dedicated to research about positive outcomes for kids in the juvenile justice system and that the research would lead to development of additional evidence-based programs and practices.
Wise Spending Leads to Effective Solutions Read Full Article »
Most kids can’t wait for summer; they’re itching to get out of school and into the world. But when that world lacks basic resources–like food, shelter and safety–summer could be the scariest time of year. On the far south side of Chicago, there’s a school that offers an oasis–but its funding might soon run dry.
Programs to keep kids off streets during violent summer may end Read Full Article »
As a teen, Miguel Rodriguez used graffiti to express himself and “to prove to the world that he existed,” the now 20-year-old told Youth Today. But, at age 13 his interest in graffiti turned into a vandalism arrest, where he spent several weeks in detention and 18 months on probation.
Summit Rallies Young People to Become Juvenile Justice Advocates Read Full Article »
Illinois state legislators are considering reforms to the youth prison system to address sexual abuse that was brought to light in a recent federal study.
Illinois lawmakers looking at high incidence of sexual abuse in youth prisons Read Full Article »
Illinois is among the four worst states in the U.S. for the rates of sexual abuse of juveniles being held in state custody.
Ill. among 4 worst states for sex abuse of juveniles in state custody Read Full Article »
This past week, the House and Senate Appropriators approved substantial reductions in juvenile justice funding, including critical funding to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system. The House bill contains only $20 million for all states to implement Title II of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The Senate bill recommends $50 million. Both are well below the president’s proposed $70 million.
Rep. Bobby Rush began by asking, “Where are the wise men and wise women?”
Then he answered: “I believe a lot of them are gathered here today.”
Urban violence summit held at Chicago State Read Full Article »
Law enforcement reminders of the consequences of criminal behavior are supposed to curb illegal activity, but some of these intimidation strategies may be backfiring, especially among youth.
In the latest study of stop and frisk policies, in which law enforcement randomly stop individuals for questioning even if they aren’t engaged in criminal activity, researchers found that those who were stopped were more likely than those who were not to engage in delinquent behavior later on.
Behavior ‘Stop and Frisk’ Stirs Up, Rather than Deters, Youth Crime Read Full Article »
This week, the fourth season of the A&E TV show “Beyond Scared Straight” follows two young sisters to the adult jail in Douglas County, Ga., where one inmate tells one of the sisters how she could beat her up “and make you not so pretty no more.”
Plenty of critics pan the show, saying it publicizes a discredited, harmful practice. Neither Georgia nor the feds will fund such jail tour programs, citing both evidence that it doesn’t work and the liabilities jails take on when they invite minors to meet with inmates.
Scared Straight Continues, Despite Misgivings Read Full Article »
A bill signed by Gov. Pat Quinn earlier this month will keep 17-year-olds who commit serious crimes in the juvenile court system. Two area prosecutors and a public defender said they are glad for the modification, because it uncomplicates a change the Legislature made more than three years ago that put 17-year-olds charged with misdemeanors in juvenile court while keeping 17-year-olds charged with felonies in adult court.
New law classifies 17-year-old offenders as juveniles Read Full Article »
