Youth Incarceration

The 桃子视频works in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and the laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

Juvenile Justice issue image

What's at Stake

The 桃子视频is engaged in several state-based campaigns to reduce youth incarceration and redirect resources to community-based alternatives to jail and prison. Despite dropping youth incarceration rates, the United States still incarcerates more young people than any other country does. Most states continue to use an outdated and harmful 鈥渢raining school鈥 model, confining children in remote, prison-like facilities cut off from their families and communities. Spending on youth incarceration continues to stretch local and state budgets and divert resources from other critical public needs, including education.听

We are working to end the glaring racial disparities in the juvenile justice system. The over-representation of children of color in youth jails and prisons remains a persistent and troubling dynamic in almost all 50 states. While most states have made progress in reducing overall youth incarceration rates in the last two decades, the disproportionate confinement of young people in most states has actually increased.听

The 桃子视频believes all young people should remain in the juvenile justice system, regardless of their crimes. Each year, an estimated 250,000 children鈥攕ome not yet in their teens鈥攁re prosecuted in adult criminal courts and subjected to the consequences of adult criminal convictions. In addition, 36 states continue to incarcerate youth under 18 in adult jails and prisons, where young people are at greater risk of suicide and physical and sexual assault.

The 桃子视频is engaged in several state-based campaigns to reduce youth incarceration and redirect resources to community-based alternatives to jail and prison. Despite dropping youth incarceration rates, the United States still incarcerates more young people than any other country does. Most states continue to use an outdated and harmful 鈥渢raining school鈥 model, confining children in remote, prison-like facilities cut off from their families and communities. Spending on youth incarceration continues to stretch local and state budgets and divert resources from other critical public needs, including education.听

We are working to end the glaring racial disparities in the juvenile justice system. The over-representation of children of color in youth jails and prisons remains a persistent and troubling dynamic in almost all 50 states. While most states have made progress in reducing overall youth incarceration rates in the last two decades, the disproportionate confinement of young people in most states has actually increased.听

The 桃子视频believes all young people should remain in the juvenile justice system, regardless of their crimes. Each year, an estimated 250,000 children鈥攕ome not yet in their teens鈥攁re prosecuted in adult criminal courts and subjected to the consequences of adult criminal convictions. In addition, 36 states continue to incarcerate youth under 18 in adult jails and prisons, where young people are at greater risk of suicide and physical and sexual assault.

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