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January 2010
Highlight of the Month: Empire State of Reform - Interview with Elizabeth Glazer
- New York SAG chair discusses growing momentum for reform in the Empire State
CJJ Leadership News from Nancy Gannon Hornberger, Executive Director
- CJJ Provides Formal Comments in Response to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Proposed Plan for Fiscal Year 2010
- Join the CJJ Strategic Planning Committee
CJJ Government Relations Alert
- Breaking News: President to Propose Three-Year Spending Freeze on Discretionary Spending
- Senate Judiciary Committee Passes JJDPA Reauthorization Bill
- Congress Approves FY 2010 Juvenile Justice Appropriations
- Senate Judiciary Committee Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act
- Congress Provides $10 million to Launch Promise Neighborhoods
CJJ Conference News
- Registration Opens for the Spring 2010 CJJ Annual National Conference & Council of SAGs’ Meeting
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
- NJJN Publishes Policy Platform on Positive Youth Development
- California Bill to Allow Resentencing for Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole Passes Out of Assembly Committee
Resources and Information of Note
- Research on Pathways to Desistance
- Preventing Gang Violence and Building Communities Toolkit
- OJJDP Seeks Peer Reviewers for FY 2010 Grant Applications
- SAMHSA Seeks Applicants for Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts Program
- The Impact of Hawaii’s HOPE Program on Drug Use, Crime and Recidivism
- First Focus Report on Child Poverty
- 2010 Blueprints Conference, San Antonio, TX, April 7-9, 2010
In the News
- Judge Steve Teske in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- New York City to Jail Fewer Teens
- Chicago Public Schools Add to Woes of Youths in Custody
- Ellis Cose Takes on Juvenile Justice Reform and Political Rhetoric
- Adults are to Blame for Jailed Juveniles
- Raised Age Applauded
- States Rethink 'Adult Time for Adult Crime'
- Transforming Juvenile Justice in Maine
Highlight of the Month: Empire State of Reform - Interview with Elizabeth Glazer
Elizabeth Glazer was named Chair of the New York Juvenile Justice Advisory Group in June 2008. She has previously worked in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, successively as the Chief of Organized Crime, Violent Gangs and Crime Control Strategies sections, as well as stints with the New York Attorney General’s Office and New York City Department of Investigations. She and fellow Advisory Group members, along with other juvenile justice experts, served on the Governor's Task Force on Transforming Juvenile Justice, formed in 2008. With the New York juvenile justice system in the news nearly daily, we caught up with Liz for an insider's perspective. Here is what she had to say.
Reform has really picked up steam in New York over the past two years. We have a powerfully experienced Juvenile Justice Advisory Group in place with tremendous expertise and a deep commitment to change. We are in a great position to take advantage of the incredible developments pushing reform forward.
Two things happened at the same time to move juvenile justice reform closer to the top of the state agenda. First, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report in August from its investigation of secure detention facilities in New York State. The report was scorching, and really pulled back the curtain on the horrendous conditions for kids in secure placement facilities. It ended up on the front page of the New York Times (“4 Youth Prisons in New York Used Excessive Force,” Nicholas Confessore, August 25, 2009) and served as a wake-up call for the system.
The second development came from within. Gladys Carrión, who runs the New York juvenile system, asked the Governor to appoint a task force to examine ways to improve it. Many SAG members and I were selected to participate. In December, the task force released a brutally honest report (“Charting a New Course: A Blueprints for Transforming Juvenile Justice in New York State”) highlighting the failures of the punitive model. We found that 53% of the kids in secure confinement were there for misdemeanors, and that almost every youth who leaves state custody is rearrested before the age of 28. These two reports really stirred the pot; the drumbeat of publicity has forced people to take serious notice of a forgotten population.
The job facing our SAG is to take this opportunity to keep the spotlight on this issue and create a new frame for legislators and policy makers. We know so much about what works that we can redefine what it means to be tough on crime. Locking kids up in punitive facilities isn't tough. Prevention and rehabilitation are the toughest and most effective things you can support. Locking them up in New York means nine out of ten will reoffend. Investing in youth's futures to change behavior is what it really means to get tough on crime.
The other important step for us is to make sure confinement is not the default, and start closing down facilities so we can develop a different model like the one in Missouri. We need to reinvest the money we save by closing facilities in prevention and rehabilitation programs close to kids’ homes.
I haven't been at this for that long, but I am impressed with some of the cutting-edge things being done by many of the other SAGs. I hope that we can become one of them.
Additional resources:
CJJ Leadership News from Nancy Gannon Hornberger, Executive Director
CJJ Provides Formal Comments in Response to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Proposed Plan for Fiscal Year 2010
On behalf of our members, the Executive Board of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ) has provided formal comments in response to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Proposed Plan for Fiscal Year 2010. Click here to see CJJ’s formal response. OJJDP posted its Proposed Plan in the Federal Register (Vol. 229, No. 74) on December 1, 2009, with a public comment deadline of January 15, 2010. The Proposed Plan addressed discretionary activities that “extend beyond Parts D and E” of Title II of the federal Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), 42 U.S.C., Sec 5651-5665a, 5667, 5667a.
CJJ’s response was drawn from member input and analyses, as well as member and committee positions crafted and approved over the past 18 months and, therefore, recounts key priorities of our members and allies, reflecting critical needs in the field.
We cited as a top priority that OJJDP increase its support for states, territories, tribal jurisdictions, and localities in implementing the core requirements and purposes of the JJDPA. Additionally, we asked for greater emphasis on provision of specialized funding, training and technical assistance targeted to the states to improve and support their JJDPA compliance efforts.
To bolster this priority, CJJ made the following 11 recommendations, providing details for each:
- Restore support to an eligible organization of State Advisory Groups as explicitly outlined in Section 223(f) regarding Technical Assistance under Title II of the JJDPA, in a manner that is complementary to and enhances the other functions and roles given to other OJJDP advisory bodies and technical assistance providers;
- Create stronger connections between OJJDP’s discretionary programs and the directives given to OJJDP in statute under the JJDPA;
- Craft explicit outcomes for activities to resolve DMC and racial/ethnic disparities, including building greater capacity, in terms of staffing and resources, to effectively engage with and further support state DMC Coordinators; elevating and managing the DMC requirement in a manner that comports with the other three JJDPA core requirements; positioning OJJDP as a leader and purveyor of critical knowledge, funding and other resources needed to eliminate DMC;
- Increase evaluation of the programs and initiatives funded through the JJDPA and related programs;
- Increase information sharing and transparency;
- Amplify training and technical assistance specifically directed toward meeting the goals and requirements outlined in the JJDPA;
- Create a concerted focus on youth involvement;
- Give real value to family and consumer/client involvement;
- Develop a comprehensive approach to meet the mental health and substance abuse needs of youth;
- In advance of the Reauthorization of the JJDPA, work closely with states to prepare for implementation of anticipated changes to the federal core requirements and purpose areas listed under Titles II and IV and within the proposed Incentive Grants;
- Engage private sector innovations and innovators, directly, as partners in the work of OJJDP.
We hope that you will circulate and repost CJJ’s public comment document, easily downloadable from CJJ's Web site by clicking here. Please also feel free to share your thoughts and ideas related to CJJ’s comments by contacting CJJ’s National Chair, David Schmidt (nmccd@aol.com), or our Executive Director, Nancy Gannon Hornberger (nancy@juvjustice.org and 202-467-0864, ext. 111.)
Join the CJJ Strategic Planning Committee
What is your vision for the future of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice (CJJ)? Are there areas of focus or work that you would like to see CJJ take on or strengthen? Can you devote a few hours a month between February and September 2010, to help in the development of CJJ’s long-range vision and strategy?
If you are enticed by these questions and wish to be part of a member engagement and leadership process to develop the CJJ 2011-2015 Strategic Plan, please contact our Strategic Planning Chair, Carlos Hendricks-Verdejo at 609-577-5338 or cdhendricks@comcast.net and/or CJJ's Executive Director, Nancy Gannon Hornberger: 202-467-0864, ext. 111 or nancy@juvjustice.org. The committee’s draft strategic plan will be presented to the CJJ Council of State Advisory Groups in October 2010 for ratification.
Participation on the committee is open to all CJJ members and allies. Our initial committee meetings will be held in mid-February, so we ask that you please contact us by February 10, 2010, to express your interest.
CJJ Government Relations Alert
Breaking News: President to Propose Three-Year Spending Freeze on Discretionary Spending
According to several news sources, as of the writing of this column on January 26, 2010, President Obama plans to announce a three-year freeze on discretionary, non-security domestic spending. The freeze would not apply to defense or foreign aid or spending on intelligence, homeland security or veterans. If implemented, such a spending freeze would reduce non-security domestic spending by $250 billion.
To learn more, click here
Senate Judiciary Committee Passes JJDPA Reauthorization Bill
On December 17, 2009, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved, by a roll call vote of 12-7, S. 678, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009 as amended. All Democratic Senators, with the exception of Senator Feinstein (CA), voted in favor of the bill. Senator Grassley (IA) also voted in favor of the bill, while all other Republican Senators voted against it.
Click here to read the full announcement posted by CJJ for its members and allies. Click here to read the public statement released by CJJ on the Judiciary Committee’s passage of S. 678.
Congress Approves FY 2010 Juvenile Justice Appropriations
On December 13, 2009, Congress approved H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, which provides, among other things, FY 2010 funding for core federal juvenile justice programs. The bill became law on December 16, 2009, and can be viewed in its entirety here.
Click here to read more.
Senate Judiciary Committee Passes National Criminal Justice Commission Act
On January 21, 2010, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved S. 714, the National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 as amended. Introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), S. 714 will create a blue-ribbon commission charged to undertake an 18-month “comprehensive review of all areas of the criminal justice system, including Federal, State, local, and tribal governments’ criminal justice costs, practices, and policies.” The review includes an investigation of sentencing disparities.
To learn more, click here.
Congress Provides $10 million to Launch Promise Neighborhoods
With the passage of H.R. 3288, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010, Congress has provided $10 million to launch President Obama’s Promise Neighborhoods initiative.
To learn more about the initiative and funding availability, click here.
CJJ Conference News
Registration Opens for the Spring 2010 CJJ Annual National Conference & Council of SAGs’ Meeting
CJJ 2010 National Annual Conference & Council of SAG's Meeting will be held in Washington, D.C., April 10 – 13, 2010.
This year’s CJJ Annual National Conference embraces the theme “Ensuring School Engagement and Success for Youth At Risk.” The conference will focus on cross-system collaboration among school, mental health, community-based and juvenile justice organizations to reduce referrals to juvenile court. We will also look at efforts to resolve racial/ethnic disparities and ways that school districts ensure safety without broadly excluding students.
Click here to see a preliminary agenda. Conference highlights include:
- CJJ Council of SAG's Meeting and Executive Board elections on April 11;
- Business meetings for State Juvenile Justice Specialists and DMC Coordinators;
- CJJ committee meetings and regional coalition meetings;
- Luncheon to present 2010 CJJ National Awards, including the A. L. Carlisle Child Advocacy Award, the Tony Gobar Outstanding National Juvenile Justice Specialist Award and the Spirit of Youth Award; and
- Hill Day 2010 training and resources.
Registration details will be available on CJJ’s conference Web page by Thursday, February 4, 2010.
Room block and location: Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, 999 Ninth Street NW, Washington, DC 2001. The CJJ room block offers a federal per diem rate of $226/night. Click here to make your reservation. Room block remains open through March 18, 2010.
Click here to read the CJJ Call for Presentations. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. EST, February 19, 2010.
We hope to see many of you in Washington, D.C., this spring!
National Juvenile Justice Network (NJJN) News
NJJN Publishes Policy Platform on Positive Youth Development
NJJN published its latest policy platform, "Approaching Juvenile Justice with a Focus on Positive Youth Development." The platform provides background on positive youth development (PYD) and strengths-based programming as well as recommendations for the use of PYD in juvenile justice systems. The recommendations reflect a broad consensus of NJJN's 40 members. The document also provides several resources to learn more about PYD and strengths-based programming in the area of juvenile justice. This is the third policy platform that NJJN has published over the last year. In August of 2009, NJJN released two policy platforms: "Girls in the Juvenile Justice System" and "Conditions of Confinement." Forthcoming policy platforms will address the subjects of disproportionate minority contact, adultification, sex offender registries, the school to prison pipeline, and reentry.
Click here to read the NJJN policy platform on positive youth development.
California Bill to Allow Resentencing for Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole Passes Out of Assembly Committee
On January 12, California's S.B. 399 passed out of the State Assembly's Public Safety Committee. The bill would allow resentencing hearings after 10 years for youth under 18 sentenced to life in prison without parole and would apply retroactively. The success is due in part to advocacy by the Youth Justice Coalition, an NJJN member. The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee. Click here to read the bill.
Resources and Information of Note
Research on Pathways to Desistance
An interim report from the long-term study of youth convicted of serious violent offenses shows that nearly 90 percent of youth desist from further offenses after their first involvement with the court. “The most surprising finding is that a youth’s future behavior did not correlate very well with the sanctions they received, suggesting that costly punitive measures may not be the best approach for keeping communities safe and rehabilitating young people in trouble with the law,” said principal investigator Edward Mulvey of the University of Pittsburgh. Click here for more information. Click here to read the report.
Preventing Gang Violence and Building Communities Toolkit
Preventing Gang Violence and Building Communities Where Young People Thrive – a toolkit for municipal leaders from the National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education and Families. Click here for the toolkit.
OJJDP Seeks Peer Reviewers for FY 2010 Grant Applications
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) is seeking qualified consultants to serve as peer reviewers for its fiscal year (FY) 2010 discretionary grant applications. The application deadline is March 31, 2010. Click here for more information.
SAMHSA Seeks Applicants for Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts Program
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is accepting applications for Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity for Juvenile Treatment Drug Courts. Applications must be received by February 23, 2010. Click here for more information.
The Impact of Hawaii’s HOPE Program on Drug Use, Crime and Recidivism
New research shows that Hawaii's Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) probationers were significantly less likely to be arrested for a new crime, to use drugs and to have their probation revoked. As a result, HOPE participants also served, or were sentenced to, an average of 48 percent fewer days in jail and prison. Click here for more information.
First Focus Report on Child Poverty
According to a new report published by First Focus ("Families of the Recession: Unemployed Parents & Their Children," January 2010), one in seven American children are living with an unemployed parent as a result of the current recession. Young people with an unemployed parent have a greater chance of experiencing homelessness, suffering from child abuse, failing to complete high school or college, and living in adult poverty than other children. Click here for more information.
2010 Blueprints Conference, San Antonio, TX, April 7-9, 2010
Attendees will include Laurie Robinson, Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, and Blueprints model program designers discussing the last 10 years of the Initiative. For more information, click here.
In the News
Judge Steve Teske in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Judge Steve Teske of Clayton County, Georgia, a member of the CJJ Council of State Advisory Groups and speaker at this weekend's CJJ southern region conference, writes on how effective use of the detention assessment instrument can combat DMC and keep communities safe. Click here to read the article.
New York City to Jail Fewer Teens
According to a recent New York Times article (“City Signals Intent to Put Fewer Teenagers in Jail,” Julie Bosman, January 20, 2010) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to integrate the city’s Department of Juvenile Justice into its Administration for Children’s Services (New York City’s child welfare agency). The merge, effective immediately, is expected to downsize the city’s incarcerated youth population by allowing young offenders who are not considered dangerous to remain in their homes and receive community-based treatment instead of incarceration. Click here to read the article.
Chicago Public Schools Add to Woes of Youths in Custody
Chicago Tribune reports on Chicago Public Schools that prevent youth in custody from reintegrating into schools. Click here to read the article.
Ellis Cose Takes on Juvenile Justice Reform and Political Rhetoric
Newsweek contributing editor and columnist Ellis Cose takes on juvenile justice reform and political rhetoric. “Children Are Not Too Old to Change: Rehabilitative approaches work better than punitive ones in reforming juvenile offenders. So why don't more states adopt them?” Click here to read more.
Adults are to Blame for Jailed Juveniles
The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reports, “Adults are to Blame for Jailed Juveniles.” JDAI activities and new legislation directing the creation of local community boards prompt an editorial piece supportive of alternatives to incarceration. Click here to read more.
Raised Age Applauded:
New Haven Independent reports on the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance annual legislative breakfast in “Raised Age Applauded,” January 14, 2010. According to a CTJJA press release, "Connecticut’s move to get 16-year-olds out of adult courts and prisons is drawing praise locally and nationally. The first case affected by the new law illustrates exactly why advocates fought so hard for it. The first 16-year-old whose processing changed because of the law was arrested on a domestic dispute. Had he gone to the adult system, his family would not have received the same level of counseling services – aimed at solving the problem that led to the arrest in the first place.” Click here to read more.
States Rethink 'Adult Time for Adult Crime'
CNN.com reports (“States Rethink 'Adult Time for Adult Crime'," January 15, 2010): “Earlier this month, Connecticut raised from 16 to 17 the age at which a juvenile is automatically prosecuted as an adult. The change comes at a time when the "adult time for adult crime" mentality is being re-examined in several states and challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court.” Click here to read more.
Transforming Juvenile Justice in Maine
In a December 14, 2009, article, the Bangor Daily News reports “Task force outlines plan for transforming juvenile justice.” The article mentions Maine State Advisory Group (SAG) members, CJJ, and former CJJ National Chair and New Hampshire SAG member-leader, Judge Paul Lawrence. Click here to read the full article.
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