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March 2009
CJJ Leadership News
- Message from Robin Jenkins, CJJ 2008-09 National Chair
- Message from Nancy Gannon Hornberger, CJJ Executive Director
- Adding Value to JJDPA State Planning with Peer-to-Peer Support and Mentoring
- Staff Announcement
CJJ Government Relations Alert
- Congress Passes FY 2009 Appropriations Bill; Level Funds for Most Juvenile Justice Programs
- Economic Recovery Package Presents Opportunities for Juvenile Justice Reform
- Youth PROMISE Act Garners Bi-Cameral, Bi-Partisan Introduction
- Congressional Hearing Examines State Barriers to Compliance with the Adam Walsh Act
CJJ Conference and Training News
- Early Bird Registration Discount Extended – CJJ Annual National Conference, May 2-4, & CJJ Hill Day, May 5
- CJJ Invites 2009 Award Nominations – Deadline March 19
- CJJ Northeast Region Plans Regional Conference, June 19, 2009
State Advisory Group (SAG) News
- Wisconsin SAG Votes to Return 17-Year-Olds to Juvenile Justice System
National Juvenile Justice Specialist News
- Message from Theresa Lay-Sleeper, CJJ National JJ Specialist Representative, and Laurel Marks, OJJDP National Specialist
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
- NJJN Adds New Member and New Partner
- North Carolina Media Highlights Efforts to Raise the Age of Juvenile Jurisdiction
- Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Part II of Report on the History of Juvenile Justice Policy in Texas
Resources and Information of Note
- Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice Releases 2008 Annual Report
- NCCD Releases Report on Abuse in Juvenile Facilities
- Winter 2009 Edition of CWLA Juvenile Justice Newsletter Available
- In the News
- Upcoming Conferences
CJJ Leadership News
Message from Robin Jenkins, CJJ 2008-09 National Chair
So much to say, so little space. Who doesn’t have economics on their mind? I suspect if you do not, you are in the minority. And why shouldn’t we all be thinking about our money matters? The national and global economies are impacting everything about our lives – from the price of food and electricity, to medicine and health care, not to mention the resources available for public safety and assistance to vulnerable children and families. No matter your political or philosophical leanings, the signs of the times are troubling. In my own family and of course so many others, many are watching their retirement savings erode by 50% and more. Folks are losing jobs, their abilities to afford homes and health care – it is indeed an alarming situation. The frightening part of all this isn’t so much today’s economic picture – it is tomorrow’s. We have borrowed and leveraged our future to adjust for the lifestyle choices poorly made during the past. What sort of world are we leaving for our children? And their children?
Yet, as a person concerned with the moral and even ethical imperatives accompanying true social justice, I still imagine that our quest for a strengthened, better resourced Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) is a good one. The core protections in the JJDPA, while good, have not proven to be enough. There are still youth languishing in detention and lockups; there are still youth in jails; there are still youth exposed to older criminal populations in shared space; and there are still far, far too many children of color experiencing the wrong end of schools and our juvenile justice systems. We cannot – if we are to hold ourselves true to our vision – be guided by fiscal thinking when approaching social justice and equity. Our vision is “to build safe communities one child at a time.” Children don’t vote of course, and have little say in their futures from a policy perspective. So they NEED US! We can’t quit on them. We can’t fold our tents and stay home. And no, we can’t become so self-absorbed in our own problems that we lose sight of theirs. To focus on the wrong priorities sends the wrong message. Our social policy should value our future in accountable, responsible ways. And making that policy begins and ends with us as “ordinary citizens” and as advocates for our children.
So please come to the CJJ Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., in May, and unite with us as we work with one another across the nation, and visit with our respective congressional representatives to tell them about the value to be found in resourcing juvenile justice improvements – to move forward, to strengthen our tools and our associations – with each other as well as with OJJDP.
Our CJJ Annual Conference and Council of SAGs' Meeting (May 2-4, followed by our Hill Day, May 5) is indeed a critical meeting, particularly for SAG Chairs and Chair-designees in that it is our only CJJ Council of SAGs’ Meeting scheduled for 2009. We cannot adhere to our bylaws or advance CJJ without your participation. I know you may be up against travel issues – yet it is so vital that you come and help us advance the work and grow our next generation of juvenile justice policies and resources.
To borrow from Dave Loggins, the singer-songwriter (imagine his tune “Please Come to Boston” and sing along in your mind with these words) …
“Please come to D.C. in the Springtime,
We’ll gather in the Capital and they’ve got lots of room.
You can meet and learn so much, when you’re among us;
And be strong in your voices for kids and families.
Please come to D.C., don’t say no – and don’t stay home this spring.
(Chorus) And she said, “Well, advocate, why don’t you plan to go?”
D.C. is the place to know –
There’ll be friends and leaders with so many things to learn …;
Our kids need us, and we need you in return.”
Well, nobody ever really claimed that I was Laureate material … perhaps that’s why I listen to music and fumble with a guitar, and do not actually compose!
But seriously, please come and help us move this important legislation forward. Help us celebrate CJJ’s 25th Anniversary and the strong and lasting heritage of A. L. Carlisle and so many that have some along since her leadership (A. L. will be with us on May 3!). And, we have a huge treat for you – Josh White Jr. (www.joshwhitejr.com) will headline CJJ’s Anniversary musical celebration to take place during our annual conference and move you in amazing ways with his blues singing, playing, and stories of his own work in the Michigan corrections system. It will be a memorable and instructive time.
My best to each of you with warmth and regards in your unfolding Spring –
Robin
Message from Nancy Gannon Hornberger, CJJ Executive Director
Adding Value to JJDPA State Planning with Peer-to-Peer Support and Mentoring
Perhaps you, like me … and so many others … enjoy learning from colleagues, peers and leaders in the field. If so, you will be interested in CJJ’s growing emphasis on peer-to-peer support and mentoring, implemented via member/state-informed publications, trainings, conference calls and Webinars, topical listserves and our Web-based library SAG Source.™
Last month, toward our goal of enhancing peer dialogue and support, CJJ was very pleased to convene conference calls and Webinars addressing ideas and best practices for the development of JJDPA State Three-Year Plans. These national technical assistance sessions focused on two key areas of great interest to CJJ members: detention reform, and diversion/treatment options for youth with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse needs.
I. Our conference calls focused on alternatives to detention drew from CJJ’s recent best practice bulletin, developed in partnership with the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation: “Supporting Juvenile Detention Reform in JJDPA State Three-Year Plans.” The bulletin includes best practice examples from four geographically-diverse states that have successfully addressed JJDPA core requirements and strengthened juvenile justice systems by writing juvenile detention reform into their respective Three-Year Plans. Additionally, the document presents strategic opportunities for expanding juvenile detention reform as the JJDPA is reauthorized.
The following individuals provided peer insights and support in the calls, in addition to their contributions to the best practice brief. On behalf of all CJJ members, I wish to publicly acknowledge and thank them for their generous sharing of time and expertise:
- Richard Lindahl, New Mexico Juvenile Justice Specialist (retired);
- Laurel Marks, Virginia Juvenile Justice Specialist;
- Ryan Pinto, Washington Juvenile Justice Specialist;
- Beth Stinnett, Virginia State JDAI Coordinator;
- Stephanie Vetter, Senior Consultant for Infrastructure Development, Annie E. Casey Foundation;
- Rand Young, Washington State JDAI Coordinator.
II. In February, CJJ also convened a Webinar series in partnership with Reclaiming Futures. These calls highlighted current and prospective ways to incorporate the principles and practices of this model program into JJDPA state plans and the work of the State Advisory Groups, to better identify and meet the substance abuse and co-occurring mental health needs of youth who come into contact with the courts. The Reclaiming Futures model, developed over more than a decade with leadership from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Portland (OR) State University, is shown to have significant positive impacts on youth and juvenile justice system reform.
The following individuals provided peer insights and support for these forward-thinking Webinars. Again, on behalf of all CJJ members, I wish to publicly acknowledge and thank them for their generous sharing of time and expertise:
- Tom Begich, Member, Alaska State Advisory Group, and Reclaiming Futures Director, Anchorage;
- Robin Jenkins, CJJ National Chair, and Member, North Carolina State Advisory Group;
- Laura Nissen, National Director, Reclaiming Futures, Portland (OR) State University;
- The Honorable John Varin, Chair, Idaho State Advisory Group.
If you have ideas for future peer support, dialogue and mentoring initiatives, we would be happy to hear from you. Please feel free to contact Nancy Gannon Hornberger (202-467-0864, ext. 111, and nancy@juvjustice.org) or Mark Ferrante, CJJ Director of Leadership and Training (202-467-0864, ext. 102, and ferrante@juvjustice.org).
Staff Announcement
Tara Andrews, CJJ Deputy Executive Director, has been selected as a Civic Sector Leadership Fellow with the National Human Services Assembly and the University of Notre Dame. The fellowship is designed for individuals who wish to devote their careers to public service/nonprofit service and advance an agenda responsive to human needs. Tara will participate in a one-week residency this month (week of March 23) to fulfill her fellowship course.
Irv Katz, CEO of the National Assembly and National Collaboration for Youth, joined with Nancy Gannon Hornberger, CJJ Executive Director, to nominate Tara. We are very happy that she was selected. In addition, Tara and CJJ have also been provided with scholarship support for the fellowship from Mutual of America.
Our deep appreciation is extended to Irv Katz, the National Human Services Assembly, the University of Notre Dame, and Mutual of America.
CJJ Government Relations Alert
Congress Passes FY 2009 Appropriations Bill; Level Funds for Most Juvenile Justice Programs
On March 10, 2009, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1105, the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 previously approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on February 26, 2009. H.R. 1105 provides FY 2009 funding to a host of federal programs, and appropriates funding for key federal juvenile justice programs as follows:
FY 2009
|
FY 2008 (for comparison)
|
| $75 million for Title II |
$74.3 million for Title II |
| $62 million for Title V |
$61.1 million for Title V |
| $55 million for JABG |
$51.7 million for JABG |
| $80 million for mentoring |
$70 million for mentoring |
| $82 million for earmarks |
$93.8 million for earmarks |
President Obama is expected to quickly sign H.R. 1105 into law.
While the uptick in proposed funding for the JABG and mentoring programs is encouraging, the FY 2009 funding levels continue a disappointing downward trend in appropriations to the Title II State Formula Grant Program and Title V Local Delinquency Prevention Grant Program of the JJDPA. The Title II program has been cut from $88.8 million in FY 2002 to $74.3 million in FY 2008, a decrease of 14 percent, not accounting for inflation. Calculated for inflation, the decrease is more than 31 percent. During that same period, appropriations for the Title V program have been cut from $94.3 million in FY 2002 to $61.1 million in FY 2008, a decrease of 35 percent, not accounting for inflation. Calculated for inflation, the decrease is approximately 47 percent. Moreover, between 53 and 96 percent of Title V funds have been earmarked for non-JJDPA programs over the last eight years.
Now is the time to restore federal investments in the JJDPA and its related state and local juvenile justice reform efforts. The JJDPA is scheduled for reauthorization in the 111th Congress, and states are eager to leverage the mandates of the JJDPA to safeguard court-involved youth, improve conditions of confinement for youth and achieve measurable reductions in disproportionate minority confinement, among other important initiatives.
Furthermore, states are now able to capitalize on more than 30 years of research regarding what works best to improve youth, family and community safety and success. States, and the youth they serve, however, need the federal government to reaffirm its commitment and its investments to help states achieve these goals.
President Obama released his budget outline for the FY 2010 cycle on February 26, 2009. To view a copy of the outline, go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/. The President’s budget outline does not highlight his proposals for federal juvenile justice programs, and the line item budget proposal is not expected until or before April 20, 2009.
For the FY 2010 budget cycle, CJJ looks forward to working with each and every CJJ member and ally to increase the visibility of our collective achievements and challenges, and raise the volume on the critical need and cost-effectiveness of JJDPA programs and other key federal juvenile justice efforts that contribute to state juvenile justice reform and delinquency prevention.
Economic Recovery Package Presents Opportunities for Juvenile Justice Reform
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“Recovery Act”). Altogether, the Recovery Act authorizes and appropriates approximately $787 billion dollars in federal spending, tax cuts and tax credits over fiscal years 2009 and 2010. The bill can be viewed in its entirety at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.1.enr:.
The Recovery Act does not authorize any additional funding for the Title II State Formula Grant and Title V Local Delinquency Prevention Grant Programs of the JJDPA, nor for the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Program (JABG). The Act, however, does provide for federal programs that may be used directly or indirectly to reduce juvenile delinquency, divert court-involved youth away from detention or placement and serve youth who are reentering the community after a period of confinement.
For the benefit of CJJ members and allies, CJJ has created a Federal Policy Bulletin that outlines the relevant juvenile justice-related programs across federal agencies provided for in the Recovery Act. To view this document, click here. In brief, U.S. Department of Justice funding under the Recovery Act includes:
- $2 billion for Byrne Justice Assistance formula grants;
- $225 million for Byrne Justice competitive grants; and
- $225 million for Tribal Law Enforcement Assistance to be distributed to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes.
In addition, the Recovery Act provides:
- $1.2 billion for youth activities including summer jobs for youth. The eligibility age for youth recovery funds is extended to age 24; and
- $50 million for YouthBuild.
Most of the funding provided under the Recovery Act will be allocated to states based on existing formulas. Some funding will be made available on a competitive basis.
We encourage CJJ members, including State Advisory Group (SAG) members and JJDPA state staff, to reach out to their Governors and their state and local child, youth and family-serving agencies to become fully aware of the type and scope of youth-related dollars for which their state is eligible. The type and availability of these additional dollars may inform JJDPA State Three-Year Plans, inform how the SAG allocates JJDPA program dollars for FY 2009 and 2010 and support the SAG in its pursuit or expansion of new program priorities.
We also encourage CJJ members to be aware of federal dollars under the Recovery Act that provide for increased law enforcement support and activities at the state and local levels. The spend-down mandates for these grant programs provide a brief but concentrated window of opportunity to ensure that the dollars are coordinated with state delinquency prevention and juvenile justice reform efforts to maximize outcomes.
Youth PROMISE Act Garners Bi-Cameral, Bi-Partisan Introduction
On February 13, 2009, U.S. Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) and Michael Castle (R-DE) re-introduced H.R. 1064, the Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunity, Mentoring, Intervention, Support and Education Act (“Youth PROMISE”) for the 111th Congress. Simultaneously, U.S. Senators Robert “Bob” Casey (D-PA) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) introduced S. 435, the Youth PROMISE Act for the Senate.
The Youth PROMISE Act is informed by more than 30 years of research with input from more than 50 criminal justice and juvenile justice experts about what works and what does not work to keep or move youth away from criminal gang activity.
Under the Youth PROMISE Act, communities facing the greatest youth gang, delinquency and crime challenges develop and implement a comprehensive local plan to support young people and their families, make our communities safer, reduce victimization, and help at-risk young people to lead law-abiding and healthy lives, free from gangs, delinquency and/or criminal involvement.
Uniquely, the Youth PROMISE Act also provides for thorough evaluation, including analyses of the cost-savings to society yielded by investing in prevention and intervention. Under the Youth PROMISE Act, savings from investments in prevention and intervention programs will be reinvested in additional prevention and intervention efforts under the Act.
In addition, the Youth PROMISE Act provides for the hiring and training of Youth Oriented Policing (YOPS) officers to prevent and address juvenile delinquency and criminal street gang activity in a manner that is responsive to the research on juveniles and adolescent brain development. The Act also includes support for youth victim and witness protection programs, which are critical to deter crime.
Finally, the Youth PROMISE Act provides for the increased local coordination of federal programs designed to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency and youth crime, and establishes a federal commission charged to carry out a nationwide, comprehensive study of the effectiveness of crime and delinquency prevention and intervention strategies.
In short, the approach of the Youth PROMISE Act makes sense, comports with the research on adolescent brain development and crime and violence prevention and intervention, and will yield overall savings to the community, according to both financial and life quality measures.
In support of the Youth PROMISE Act, on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 Rep. Scott, as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security of the House Committee on the Judiciary, hosted a Crime Summit titled “Smart on Crime Policies: Increase Public Safety, Reduce Costs and Improve Lives.” As an immediate follow-up, on Thursday, March 5, 2009, Rep. Scott hosted Father Greg Boyle, Founder and Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based Homeboy Industries, a world-renowned program and business established by Fr. Boyle that employs more than 600 gang members and other misdirected youth, turning them into productive citizens contributing to their community and their own success. Fr. Boyle was accompanied by two of the program’s participants and Dr. Jorja Leap, a UCLA Adjunct Professor with more than 20 years experience in gang prevention and intervention strategies.
As of the writing of this column, more than 200 international, national, state and local organizations and jurisdictions have signed on in support of the Youth PROMISE Act, including the Children’s Defense Fund, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, the Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators, the National Education Association, the National PTA and the cities of New York and Los Angeles. CJJ is an original and proud supporter of the Youth PROMISE Act, and we look forward to working with CJJ members and allies to educate Members of Congress about the benefits of the PROMISE approach.
Congressional Hearing Examines State Barriers to Compliance with the Adam Walsh Act
On March 10, 2009, the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security of the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary held a public hearing titled “Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA): Barriers to Timely Compliance by States.” The purpose of the hearing was to examine the reasons behind states’ failures to come into compliance with the mandates of the SORNA provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. The hearing was chaired by Rep. Bobby Scott, Chair of the Subcommittee, and attended in whole or in part by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee; Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX); Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL); Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX); and Rep. Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR).
Under the Walsh Act, states must come into substantial compliance with the provisions of SORNA by July 27, 2009. To date, however, no state has been deemed to be in substantial compliance by the federal Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (“SMART Office”). In addition, states continue to struggle with or oppose certain provisions of SORNA or the federal guidelines implementing SORNA, including but not limited those provisions that apply the mandates retroactively and subject certain juveniles age 14 or older adjudicated in juvenile court to mandatory registration on a national sex offender registry for a period of 25 years to life.
During the course of the hearing, the Subcommittee questioned and received testimony and recommendations for corrective action from a number of expert witnesses, including:
- Laura Rogers, former Director, SMART Office;
- Emma J. Devillier, Assistant Attorney General, State of Louisiana;
- Madeline Carter, Principal, Center for Sex Offender Management;
- Ernie Allen, President & CEO, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children;
- Mark Lunsford, father of Jessica Lunsford;
- Detective Robert Schilling, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit, Seattle Police Department; and
- Amy Borror, Public Information Officer, Office of the Ohio Public Defender
The March 10 hearing is expected to be the first in a series of hearings that may lead Congress and/or the U.S. Department of Justice to administratively or statutorily extend the Act’s compliance deadline for one or two additional years for the purposes of addressing current barriers to compliance and otherwise amending the Act or the SORNA guidelines promulgated by the SMART Office in June 2008.
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If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the CJJ Government Relations Committee or Government Relations Program, please contact committee chair Ken Schatz (kschatz@ci.burlington.vt.us), or CJJ deputy executive director Tara Andrews (andrews@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 109).
CJJ Conference and Training News
Early Bird Registration Discount Extended – CJJ Annual National Conference, May 2-4, & CJJ Hill Day, May 5
Registration is open for the CJJ Annual National Conference and 25th Anniversary Celebration: “Unlocking the Future of Juvenile Justice.”
The conference will take place in Arlington, VA – just outside of Washington, D.C.
An "early bird" registration discount is available to all CJJ members and has been extended for one week through March 20.
Click here to view a preliminary agenda of the conference. Keep watching as additional speakers are added in the coming days.
Highlights include:
- A keynote with Jeffrey A. Butts, Ph.D., followed by discussion forums exploring ways to infuse positive youth development principles into juvenile justice policy and practice, and increase youth civic engagement;
- Concurrent workshops highlighting innovative approaches to family and community-connected services and supports for at-risk youth, status offenders and adjudicated youth, as well as alternatives to detention/incarceration and high-impact approaches to prevent further delinquency for adjudicated youth;
- CJJ’s 25th Anniversary Reception featuring CJJ’s first National Chair and Founder A. L. Carlisle, and a festive Musical Celebration with headliner Josh White Jr.;
- CJJ Council of SAGs' Meeting and Executive Board Elections on May 3 with guest speaker Laurie Garduque reflecting on the progress of the MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change Initiative;
- A special focus on “Family Justice” and youth and family perspectives;
- Business Meetings for State Juvenile Justice Specialists and DMC Coordinators;
- CJJ Leadership Committee Meetings and Regional Coalition Meetings;
- Meet and greet forum with the CJJ National Youth Committee;
- Luncheon to present CJJ Awards, including the 2009 Spirit of Youth Award, the 2009 Tony Gobar Outstanding Juvenile Justice Specialist Award, and the 2009 A. L. Carlisle Child Advocacy Award;
- State Advisory Group Member Leadership Training;
- Tour of the Positive Transformation of the D.C. Youth Detention Center (Please note, this requires advance RSVP during registration – details below).
Location and Room Block:
Crystal City Marriott at Reagan National Airport, 1999 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202—just outside of Washington, D.C. Through the CJJ room block rate you will receive a hotel rate of $187 per night for a single/double. Make your reservation by clicking here. You may also make your room reservation by phone at 1-800-228-9290. The room block is open through Thursday, April 9.
Remember to Register to Attend:
An "early bird" registration rate of $199 has been extended by one week through Friday, March 20, 2009 for CJJ members. After March 20, the registration rate increases to $225. Non-member registration rate is $299. A youth member registration rate $189 is also available.
To register and for more information, click here, or visit www.cvent.com, click on the "RSVP for Event" tab, and enter event code 42NJQGYXYNG. During registration you will have the opportunity to RSVP for the optional Tour of the Positive Transformation of the D.C. Youth Detention Center.
You may also contact CJJ at info@juvjustice.org or 202-467-0864, ext. 122, for off-line registration.
CJJ Invites 2009 Award Nominations – Deadline March 19
The Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) will present three awards to outstanding individuals at the CJJ Annual National Conference, May 2-5, 2009. Please consider nominating someone you believe is deserving! Inspiring and innovative work is happening across the country, and CJJ is privileged to recognize those individuals engaged in personal and system-wide change.
A. L. Carlisle Child Advocacy Award
Named in honor of CJJ Founder and the First National Chair, A. L. Carlisle, this honor is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to youth, to the juvenile justice community or in the broader area of juvenile justice reform.
Spirit of Youth Award
Awarded to an exceptional young person under the age of 28, this honor recognizes a young adult who has made great strides following involvement with the juvenile justice system, has overcome personal obstacles, and is today making significant contributions to society.
Tony Gobar Outstanding Juvenile Justice Specialist Award
Named in memory of Tony Gobar, a longtime Juvenile Justice Specialist in Mississippi, this award recognizes a state Juvenile Justice Specialist who has exemplified excellence in service to others, has been dedicated and committed to improving the juvenile justice system, and has demonstrated compassion and concern for juveniles and their advocates.
Nomination forms must be submitted by March 19, 2009, and can be found online by clicking here.
For additional information, contact Kitty McCarthy at mccarthy@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 110.
CJJ Northeast Region Plans Regional Conference, June 19, 2009
The CJJ Northeast Region has tentatively scheduled a full-day conference to be held Friday, June 19, 2009 in Philadelphia, PA.
The Pennsylvania SAG has put together an impressive preliminary agenda featuring the Pennsylvania DMC Initiative, Pennsylvania Models for Change Initiative and the launch of the Pennsylvania Resource Center for Evidence-Based Prevention and Intervention Programs and Practices. Speakers will likely include Robert Schwartz of the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia, Robert Listenbee of the Philadelphia Defender Association, and Pat Torbet of the National Center for Juvenile Justice in Pittsburgh.
The event will also likely feature a networking meeting the evening of June 18 and a Regional Business Meeting on Friday afternoon.
There is no fee to attend this conference. For more information or to register, please contact Mike Pennington, Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Specialist, at mpenningto@state.pa.us or 717-265-8461.
State Advisory Group (SAG) News
Wisconsin SAG Votes to Return 17-Year-Olds to Juvenile Justice System
Contributed by Deirdre Wilson Garton, Wisconsin State Advisory Group Chair.
In 1996, Wisconsin overhauled its Juvenile Justice Code. Like other states and jurisdictions in the 1990’s, Wisconsin took a more punitive approach to delinquent youth. Among other changes, the legislature reduced the age of adult criminal responsibility from 18 to 17.
Since 2005, the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission, the state SAG, has been wrestling with the question of whether to return 17-year-olds to the juvenile justice system. The debate focused on the fiscal implications of a return. In addition, the Governor’s Juvenile Justice Commission acknowledged that the burden of the ’90s changes fell to youth of color.
After intensive study, the drafting of two policy papers and taking public comment, the Commission voted unanimously to return 17-year-olds at its meeting in January 2009. Commissioners were persuaded that:
- The majority of valid research supports the notion that for most youthful offenders the juvenile system better redirects their behavior reducing reoffense and revictimization.
- Evidence based practices work and brain research suggests that 17-year-olds are amenable to change using those practices.
- Addressing the needs of serious youthful offenders can and should be done through other means, including waiver to adult court.
Click here to view the summary discussion paper on returning 17-year-olds to juvenile justice jurisdiction.
Given the budget crisis in Wisconsin, change will not come this year. What can happen, however, is planning for the change when fiscal health returns.
National Juvenile Justice Specialist News
Message from Theresa Lay-Sleeper, CJJ National JJ Specialist Representative, and Laurel Marks, OJJDP National Specialist
Change is here! We all waited expectantly for the results of this historic Presidential election. Now we're awaiting the appointment of a new OJJDP Administrator. With change comes opportunity. Over the last several years, the work of Juvenile Justice Specialists has been impacted by divisions between our key partners, OJJDP and CJJ. Both of these organizations are valuable and necessary to the work of Specialists and the State Advisory Groups. Each organization functions and provides resources that enhance our access to information, support State planning efforts and the implementation of community-based service, and system change that benefits youth and families.
CJJ, as a private non-government member organization, can act in ways that government cannot. There is now a golden opportunity for OJJDP and CJJ to reconnect, and to create a stronger collaborative relationship. A strong partnership can only benefit our shared missions – to improve the lives of youth in the prevention of delinquency, assure their equitable treatment in justice responses, and to provide them with the best possible opportunities to become strong and capable citizens.
As co-National JJ Specialists, we are committed to working toward a renewed partnership between OJJDP and CJJ. We know that when this strengthened partnership occurs it will benefit not just ourselves, but youth and communities throughout the country.
In the meantime, let's support each other in our efforts to complete the upcoming three-year plans and federal applications for funding. The knowledge among Specialists is fabulous, and their willingness to share, fantastic. Some great JJ Specialists networks have already formed, so if anyone has a question and doesn't know where to turn, feel free to use the existing listserve or contact Theresa or Laurel, to learn from your fellow Specialists.
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
NJJN Adds New Member and New Partner
NJJN welcomes its newest member, Kentucky Youth Advocates. Kentucky Youth Advocates (KYA) is Kentucky’s only multi-issue policy group focused on children and youth. KYA's work includes research, public engagement, and legislative advocacy in the areas of economic well-being, early childhood and K-12 education, health, safety, juvenile justice, immigrants and refugees, and youth development. Additionally, as a grantee of the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT initiative, KYA publishes an annual data book that measures child well-being state-wide and at the county level.
NJJN is also pleased to recognize its newest partner, the National Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Children. This new organization will work to coordinate with and assist in state legislative campaigns and litigation efforts to end juvenile life without parole. Contact Jody Kent at jkent@endjlwop.org to learn more about the organization.
North Carolina Media Highlights Efforts to Raise the Age of Juvenile Jurisdiction
North Carolina News Channel WRAL highlighted NJJN member Action for Children's efforts to raise the age of adult jurisdiction from 16 to 18 in an article on February 19 ("Group Wants to Raise Age Limit for Juvenile Offenders"). The article includes comments from Sorien Schmidt, Action for Children's executive director, noting that youth placed in the adult system are much more likely to commit future crimes and become more violent than those youth kept in the juvenile system. A bill to raise the age to 18 was introduced during the last legislative session, and it was sent to the Governor's Crime Commission for study. The commission is expected to give its recommendations by April 1, 2009.
Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Releases Part II of Report on the History of Juvenile Justice Policy in Texas
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, an NJJN member, released the second part of its report, "Protecting Texas' Most Precious Resource: A History of Juvenile Justice Policy in Texas." Part II ("The TYC Era: Between Rehabilitation and Punishment, 1949-2008") discusses the Texas Youth Council's (TYC) struggle over time with the proposal to decrease the role of the state's large, remotely located institutions in favor of smaller, community-based programs. The report reviews the landmark lawsuit, Morales v. Turman, 430 U.S. 322 (1977), and its settlement agreement, as well as the abuse scandals in the West Texas and Evins facilities in early 2007, which ultimately resulted in omnibus reform legislation and TYC being placed under conservatorship until October 2008.
Resources and Information of Note
Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice Releases 2008 Annual Report
The Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice (FACJJ) has released its 2008 Annual Report to the President and Congress. This year’s annual report presents a “report card” on national compliance with the four core protections of the JJDPA, as well as two additional issues: effective assistance of counsel, and mental health, substance abuse, and the juvenile justice system. The report offers 19 recommendations to the President and Congress in these areas.
NCCD Releases Report on Abuse in Juvenile Facilities
The National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) has released “Breaking the Cycle of Abuse in Juvenile Facilities,” a report addressing sexual abuse in juvenile facilities throughout the United States. The report includes recommendations to reduce youth violence and sexual assaults in youth corrections systems. The report also recommends that Congress amend the JJDPA to require that all states receiving federal funds must: 1) conduct a comprehensive study of the nature, extent, and causes of rape in juvenile institutions; and 2) present “good faith” plans to OJJDP to remedy the problem. The report suggest that OJJDP should be required to produce an annual report to Congress on rape in juvenile facilities and to present effective methods to eliminate it.
Winter 2009 Edition of CWLA Juvenile Justice Newsletter Available
The Winter 2009 edition of “The Link,” a juvenile justice newsletter from the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), is now available online. The edition includes the following articles: “Understanding the Commercial Exploitation of Children” by Lisa Goldblatt Grace; “Native American Juvenile Rights: Who Cares?” by Terry L. Cross and Kathleen A. Fox; and “Strong Juvenile Justice Legislation Passes Senate Committee: Includes Expanded Coordination of JJ and Child Welfare” by Tim Briceland-Betts.
In the News
March 5 – “Talk of the Nation” on National Public Radio aired “How Should Kids Suspected of Murder Be Handled?” focusing on an 11-year-old boy in Pennsylvania believed to have murdered his father’s girlfriend.
Feb. 26 – In the Huffington Post’s “Jailing Teenagers and the Poisoning of Public Purpose,” Donald Cohen argues that the structure of private detention and prison contracting creates incentives and behaviors that “poison” the criminal justice system as the private contractors generate more revenue when more teenagers are detained or more adults incarcerated.
Feb. 16 – The Walla-Walla Union-Bulletin (WA) published “Juveniles must not be jailed alongside adult criminals,” an editorial in response to an Associated Press investigation that found four states, including Washington, had violated portions of the JJDPA.
Feb. 11 – The Hazleton Standard-Speaker (PA) published “DOJ should hold states to juvenile justice standards,” an editorial chastising the Department of Justice for not enforcing compliance with the JJDPA, particularly regarding the incarceration of juveniles with adults and other detention standard violations.
Upcoming Conferences
March 30-31 – The Global Issue Resource Center hosts its 2009 National Training to Implement or Enhance a Local Teen Court or Youth Court Program in Cleveland, OH. The training will benefit attendees interested in establishing a program or new staff in existing programs who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills and may include educators and administrators, law enforcement, human service professionals, court personnel, non-profit professionals, government and community organizers.
The CJJ e-Monitor is brought to you by staff and volunteer leaders of CJJ, and supported by membership fees paid by CJJ’s State Advisory Group members, Members at Large and Allies. We are grateful to all for their ongoing support.
The CJJ e-Monitor is distributed in the first week of every month. To submit items for publication, e-mail Kitty McCarthy at mccarthy@juvjustice.org. Items must be submitted two weeks prior to the first of the month for consideration. Inclusion and editing of submissions are subject to CJJ editorial guidelines.
To electronically subscribe or unsubscribe to the CJJ e-Monitor, please send a request with your name and contact information to info@juvjustice.org.
— Robin Jenkins, 2008-09 CJJ National Chair
— Kitty McCarthy, Editor
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