Berhan Ahmed JP’s Post

Maryland is facing increasing scrutiny over its approach to juvenile justice. Two recently proposed bills, SB744/HB814, would extend how long children can stay on probation, expand the number of youth who are eligible for detention, and expand the number of 10-12 year olds who can be arrested and detained, effectively undercutting reforms made in 2022. While detention and probation are the traditional response to juvenile delinquency,there is a growing consensus that such punitive measures are not  the most effective or humane way to address youth crime. Pushing youth further into the deep end of the justice system through detention and probation can have long-lasting negative consequences, with detention facilities, in particular, harming  youth development, and often exacerbating behavioral problems and increasing the likelihood of recidivism. Learn more about the importance of community investment in youth development in my recently published Op-Ed: https://lnkd.in/gfgVjxwv #JuvenileJustice #YouthDevelopment #CommunityInvestment #Maryland NYJN (National Youth Justice Network) Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth ACLU

In case you missed it... In an op-ed published in The Australian earlier this month, PC commissioners Natalie Siegel-Brown and Selwyn Button ask: 'How much weight does the National Agreement on Closing the Gap really hold when it comes to hot-button issues such as youth justice?' 'Several weeks ago, we released our report card on the progress of governments in closing the named gaps. We found that most states and territories had undone progress in reducing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children incarcerated.' 'Some jurisdictions were even invoking policies and legislative changes that would elevate the number of Indigenous young people in custody. This was starkly evident in Queensland, for example, where the presumption of bail for children was reversed. 'Today, the situation is even worse. The Northern Territory has announced it will make even younger children criminally liable, while Victoria has scaled back its commitment to increase the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Obviously, and predictably, this will increase the number of Indigenous young people in incarceration...' Read more: https://lnkd.in/g2u4zY7F

Lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10 is a dangerous move that ignores expert evidence and disproportionately targets Indigenous children. Studies show that early contact with the justice system leads to higher rates of reoffending, creating cycles of incarceration. This policy criminalises children for behaviours linked to systemic issues like poverty and trauma rather than offering tangible support. Instead of punitive measures, the focus should be on early intervention and community-based solutions that address root causes. This approach undermines progress on reducing Indigenous incarceration rates and fails to deliver real justice. Unfortunately, the legacy Lia Finocchiaro MLA is building will be a race to the bottom—where the measure of success is which Northern Territory Government leader can be the cruellest to the most vulnerable children in our communities. Rather than leading with compassion, kindness and evidence, her policies perpetuate harm and deepen the injustices faced by Indigenous youth. #AboriginalJustice #jailingisfailing #RaiseTheAge #JusticeForChildren #EndYouthIncarceration SNAICC - National Voice for our Children

“So far this year, deep-red Oklahoma passed a second-look law (legislation focused on allowing judges to review long sentences) permitting resentencing if domestic violence was a mitigating factor in a crime; Mississippi extended its parole-eligibility law; Nebraska passed an alternative-to-incarceration program for military veterans; Kansas unanimously passed civil-asset-forfeiture reform; New Hampshire passed a law prohibiting racial profiling by the police; Colorado and Tennessee passed occupational-licensing reform, allowing more formerly incarcerated people to obtain better-paying jobs; Arizona unanimously passed probation reform; Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order to support successful reentry into society for formerly incarcerated people; New Jersey changed its “use of force” policy in an effort to resolve mental-health crises without violence; and more. Last year, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia all passed some sort of criminal-justice reform, including eliminating juvenile fines and fees, expanding probation and pretrial diversion, and limiting no-knock warrants by police.”

In the words of Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC - National Voice for our Children: "We know what works. The evidence is there that involving us as partners in decisions about our lives and our children makes the difference." The latest Closing the Gap figures - particularly the worsening of incarceration rates for adults and children - underscore the urgent need for policymakers to listen to communities and back community-led, evidence-based solutions. These figures must be reversed - jailing is failing. https://loom.ly/nOrRNQM

It's International Women's Day. A new report from the Prison Policy Initiative is a deep dive into the size and scope of women's incarceration in the United States. https://lnkd.in/eJ2ey8R6

A Information for Manukau South Auckland Mother and father https://lnkd.in/gbHM2KA7 <a href=""> - Navigating the authorized system could be daunting, particularly when it entails your child. In case your child is accused of a juvenile crime in Manukau South Auckland, it’s essential to know their rights and their protections. On this information, we’ll discover what parents have to know to advocate for his or her children successfully. Know Your Youngster’s Rights At first, being conscious of your child’s rights within the juvenile justice system is important. Similar to adults, juveniles have sure constitutional rights, together with: The appropriate to stay silent: Your child has the correct to refuse to reply questions from regulation enforcement with out a parent or guardian current. The appropriate to authorized illustration: Your child has the correct to an lawyer; should you can not afford one, the court will appoint one. The appropriate to a good trial: Your child has the correct to a trial the place the prosecution should show their guilt past an affordable doubt. The appropriate to confront witnesses: Your child has the correct to cross-examine witnesses offered by the prosecution. Understanding these rights empowers parents to advocate successfully for his or her children all through the authorized course of. Juvenile vs. Grownup System: Key Variations Like most states, Auckland operates separate authorized methods for juveniles and adults. This displays the understanding that younger individuals are nonetheless creating and fewer culpable than adults. Nevertheless, key elements set juvenile courts aside. Juvenile court prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment, emphasizing packages and interventions that handle underlying points and assist juveniles be taught from their errors. Juvenile court proceedings are typically closed to the general public, defending the privateness of the child and inspiring openness throughout the course of. Juveniles have the correct to an lawyer, appointed if mandatory, to make sure their rights are protected and their finest pursuits are represented. Sentences for juveniles are sometimes much less extreme than these for adults, specializing in diversion packages, neighborhood service, and probation earlier than contemplating incarceration. Frequent Misconceptions Understanding widespread misconceptions about juvenile rights can empower you to navigate the authorized course of successfully. Misconceptions about juvenile rights and the authorized system abound. One prevalent fable is that juvenile information are routinely sealed when a child turns 18. Whereas some information could also be sealed, sure offenses might stay on their document and will influence their future. One other false impression is that juvenile offenses aren’t critical. In actuality, juvenile crimes can have vital penalties, together wi...

This week, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Congressman Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) introduced the Prohibiting Detention of Youth Status Offenders Act to keep more children out of detention facilities when they commit minor offenses. Every year, thousands of kids are incarcerated for “status offenses”—acts would not even be considered crimes if they were committed by an adult—like truancy, breaking curfew, or running away from home. This incarceration is allowed through the use of the “valid court order” (VCO) exception. The Prohibiting Detention of Youth Status Offenders Act would phase out and then prohibit the use of the VCO exception to prevent states from detaining youth for status offenses in favor of responses that better support youth. “Far too many children are locked up every year for minor offenses like skipping school and running away from home. Putting our kids behind bars for these actions does nothing but introduce them to the very thing we want to steer them away from: the criminal justice system,” said Senator Casey. “With this legislation, we can change the trajectories of young lives, create safer communities, and better support young people going through a difficult time.” “Growing up in Pacoima, I’ve seen firsthand how overincarceration and unnecessary confinement have wrecked the lives of young people” said Congressman Cárdenas. “That’s why I am proud to partner with Senator Casey to introduce the Prohibiting Detention of Youth Status Offenders Act, which would prohibit states from detaining young people for acts that, if they were an adult, would not be considered crimes. These cases disproportionately impact our nation’s youth of color, who deserve equal opportunity to thrive. We must always strive to better support our youth by uplifting them – and not treat them like criminals.” In 1980, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act was amended to allow judges to issue detention orders in status offense cases if the offense violated a valid court order from the judge. Since this amendment, the VCO exception has been used to institutionalize thousands of children each year. This exception has had a disproportionate impact on young people of color, who comprise a higher rate of petitioned status offenses case relative to their population size. (From the article posted below)

Ending girls' incarceration is within reach in California, which has seen steady declines in arrests and detentions for girls and gender-expansive youth over the last decade. Young people need solutions that provide them with safety and healing in their communities, not incarceration. Learn more about how California can build on this momentum to zero out girls’ incarceration: https://lnkd.in/eXw_wzfS

In their latest report, 'One in Five,' The Sentencing Project lays bare the stark realities of how mass incarceration exacerbates inequality and undermines public safety. It's crucial that we listen to those with lived experiences within the justice system to truly understand and address these issues. Initiatives like @TheMarshallProject and @PrisonJournalismProject are essential in bringing these stories to light. Let's engage with these perspectives to drive meaningful reform. #CriminalJusticeReform #InequalityInJustice