Juvenile Justice Project
The Correctional Association founded the Juvenile Justice Project in 1997 in response to increasing calls for more punitive and harsh responses to youths who become involved in the juvenile justice system.
Through its work, the Project seeks to reorient the justice system away from a punitive approach toward a stronger emphasis on community-based prevention and alternatives to jail and prison.
More specifically, the Project:
- coordinates the Juvenile Justice Coalition to advocate and lobby for fair and effective responses to youth crime;
- produces reports, position papers and fact sheets, which analyze existing juvenile justice policies and explore alternatives;
- educates the public and state and local legislators about juvenile justice issues through media outreach, public forums, advocacy days in Albany, and other public events; and
- trains young people to become leaders in the movement to transform juvenile justice policies in New York.
For more information, contact Gabrielle Prisco, Director of the Juvenile Justice Project.
PROJECT NEWS
ACTION ALERT: Tell the Assembly to pass ReDirect NY
On June 22, the New York Senate passed ReDirect NY, legislation that would provide fiscal incentives for localities to expand their use of alternative programs for youth.
Now that the Senate has passed the bill - thanks in large part to the leadership of Senate sponsor Velmanette Montgomery - it's up to the Assembly to decide whether it will go to Governor Paterson's desk. Assemblymember William Scarborough, the bill's sponsor in that house, has been a staunch advocate for the bill, but he needs our help. [Click here to send an email to ask Assemblymembers to support the bill]
ReDirect NY gaining momentum, New York Times lends its support to the bill
The New York Times has come out in strong support of ReDirect New York—legislation that preserves funding for alternative programs for youth, and creates a fiscal incentive for counties to take advantage of such programs. Our Juvenile Justice Project helped to draft ReDirect New York at the request of key policymakers. [Read the editorial]
ACTION ALERT: Put our children first; click here to send Governor Paterson and state leaders a message
Did you know that Governor Paterson’s proposed budget for 2010-2011 cuts $16 million for juvenile alternatives to detention and alternatives to incarceration? These cuts are unacceptable: they hurt youth and communities, and will cost the state much more in the long term.
Just enter your zip code and name to quickly tell Governor Paterson and other state leaders to restore funds for these critical programs. [Click here to send your message]
Crisis in the Juvenile Jails
Just three months after a federal investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ) found that excessive force was routinely used at four New York youth detention facilities—resulting in children suffering from broken bones, knocked out teeth, concussions and other serious injuries—Governor Paterson’s Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice has released its own report shining more light on the state's badly broken system. [read more]
Confronting Homphobia on the Inside
For the estimated ten percent of young people confined in New York’s youth prisons and jails who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ), every day can be a struggle. After facing rejection from their families, abuse on the street, and discrimination at school, once caught up in the criminal justice system, LGBTQ young people report being slapped, hit, punched, kicked, threatened and called names by facility residents and sometimes even staff. [read more]
2010 POLICY AGENDA
Diverting youth to alternative programs
Protecting the rights of youth in care
Closing juvenile prisons