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House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Girls in the Juvenile Justice System
On Thursday, March 11, the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities of the House Education & Labor Committee held a hearing titled “Meeting the Challenges Faced by Girls in the Juvenile Justice System.”
Chaired by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the hearing sought to examine the unique challenges girls face in today’s juvenile justice system, including confinement conditions, mental health needs, victimization, and effective strategies for public safety. The hearing was the third hearing held by the Subcommittee in the last two years as it looks towards reauthorization of the JJDPA.
Hearing witnesses included:
- Professor Francine Sherman, Clinical Professor and Director, Juvenile Rights Advocacy Project, Boston College Law School, Newton, MA;
- Ms. Rachel Carrion, Board Member, Community Connections for Youth, New York, NY;
- The Honorable Brian Huff, President Judge, Jefferson County Family Court, Birmingham, AL;
- Professor Linda A. Teplin, Director of the Psycho-legal Studies Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL;
- Gary Ivory, Southwest President and National Director of Program Development, Youth Advocate Programs, Harrisburg, PA; and
- Cameron Romer, York County Probation Officer, York, PA
CJJ was pleased to help secure the participation and support the contributions of Judge Brian Huff, a CJJ member and a strong champion for detention alternatives for status youth and youth charged with delinquent offenses. In his testimony, Judge Huff spoke to special needs of girls, and specifically called for Congress to eliminate the valid court order (VCO) to the JJDPA Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders (DSO) core requirement. We are happy to report that Judge Huff’s testimony was received warmly and enthusiastically by Chairwoman McCarthy and members of the Subcommittee.
To read Judge Huff’s testimony, and/or view a webcast of the hearing, click here.
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