In 1980, Henry Hill was convicted of murdering a man in a Saginaw, Mich., park and sentenced to life in prison without parole, the mandatory sentence for the crime. He was 16 years old and functionally illiterate.
After Supreme Court Ruling, States Act on Juvenile Sentences Read Full Article »
Elizabeth “Betsy” Clarke, president of the Illinois-based Juvenile Justice Initiative, was recognized recently for her tenacious work on behalf of young people in trouble with the law. Clarke is the second recipient of the Beth Arnovits Gutsy Advocate for Youth Award, which is given annually by the National Juvenile Justice Network to individuals who advocate for youth justice and juvenile justice reform and who embody "the tenacity, vision, fearlessness and wisdom of Beth Arnovits."
Betsy Clarke honored with national youth advocate award Read Full Article »
The areas closely surrounding routes designated by Chicago Public Schools as Safe Passage, where students will begin walking this week, have already seen more than 100 shootings and dozens of murders this year, according to a WBEZ analysis.
Violence plagues some new Safe Passage routes Read Full Article »
In Chicago, a group of individuals and organizations are working to address the needs of young people who others have mostly given up on. Behind the headlines of gang violence, shootings, and despair, there is an untold and unheralded story of perseverance, tenacity, and hope in communities across the city.
Alternatives to Youth Incarceration in Chicago Read Full Article »
The Chicago Public Safety Action Committee (PSAC) today announced the appointment of Toni Irving, Ph.D., as the committee's first executive director.
It’s been six months since Celia Peoples last saw her 14-year-old son. He is only five hours away from her home in the small downstate town of Harrisburg, Ill., but Peoples, who is unemployed and barely making ends meet, can’t afford to take a car or a bus to visit him. Peoples’ son is incarcerated in the Illinois Youth Center Kewanee. “I just don’t have the money to go see him,” she said.
Families out of reach, incarcerated youth often silent about sexual assaults Read Full Article »
The Mikva Juvenile Justice Council (MJJC) wants to keep youth away from the criminal justice system. MJJC is developing new ways to help young people re-enter their communities for good.
Mikva JJC and News Genius: Partners in Crime Education Read Full Article »
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 »
Governor Pat Quinn today signed legislation creating a task force to combat the epidemic of violence impacting today’s youth.
Governor Quinn Signs Legislation Creating Violence Prevention Task Force 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 »
