Juvenile justice reform has bipartisan support... If we can move past presidential politics
Typically, our blog is apolitical. We don’t take sides except when it comes to what is best for young people in our society. Then we have an unwavering point of view. First, do no harm. Second, do good and do better. Advocate for change where change is needed.
We are not taking sides today—though we admit to looking forward to the end of this election cycle.
Unlike the hot-button issues of tax, immigration and healthcare, juvenile justice reform has bipartisan support.
So regardless of who wins in November, we hope our elected officials can get back to working on overhauling the juvenile justice system.
Steps to be taken
Since October is Youth Justice Awareness Month, here are our thoughts on how the next president can use the bully pulpit to get this important work done.
- Raise the age of when a teen is tried as an adult. Here’s what President Obama recently said on the issue. "Unfortunately, far too many youth become involved with the adult criminal justice system each year—including in several states where 17-year-olds are prosecuted as adults regardless of their crime, and two where 16-year-olds are, as well. Children in the adult system have less access to rehabilitative services and often face higher recidivism and suicide rates. Some states have recently raised the age so that 16- and 17-year-olds are not unnecessarily tried in adult courts, and many are reforming sentencing laws and expanding access to age-appropriate transition services upon reentry." So listen up New York and North Carolina: you should stop prosecuting 16- and 17-year-olds as adults, regardless of their offense. And Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin should raise the age from 17. You don’t really need the next president to tell you this is the right thing to do.
- Ban locking juveniles in solitary confinement. Period. President Obama stopped this practice for all juveniles in the federal prison system, but most youth are in state facilities, meaning this had only a symbolic effect. Make it real.
- Perhaps the most important piece of pending legislation is the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA). It is one vote away from passing the Senate. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has singlehandedly blocked the measure from being put to a quick voice vote. Cotton’s home state, Arkansas, locks up minors for running away and other status offenses at a disproportionately high rate, as reported by Mother Jones. This legislation would increase protections for youth and limit the number of minors held in adult jails and prisons. Reauthorizing the JJDPA will promote evidence-based practices, quality education and good trauma care for incarcerated youth, while reducing punishments for things such as breaking curfew and truancy.
While the president can’t legislate these reforms from the Oval Office, there is plenty he or she can do to make this country a better place for our children.
