Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth’s Post

🎉 Celebrating one year of making meaningful change with the Marion County Reentry Coalition’s Interdisciplinary Defense System (IDS)! 🌟 IDS is modeled after the “holistic defense” systems that emerged in the 1990s. In contrast to the traditional public defense model which prioritizes criminal representation by an individual lawyer, the holistic defense model is rooted in the idea that defenders must not only address the immediate criminal case but also the collateral contributors to recidivism and consequences of criminal justice involvement to produce long-term positive outcomes for their clients. IDS provides comprehensive legal representation along with access to health/mental health services, community support, housing assistance, and peer coaching. It offers a range of services from incarceration through post-release and community reintegration, aiming to break the cycle of reincarceration. HUGE thanks to our project partners ⭐ Marion County Re-entry Coaltion Marion County Public Defender Agency Indiana Department of Correction Indianapolis Legal Aid Society, Inc. Adult and Child Health Public Advocates in Community re-Entry (PACE) Horizon House #MCRC #InterdisciplinaryDefenseSystem #OneYearStrong

Happy International Day of Children! 🌍 At Justice Nest, we believe every child deserves a chance to grow, learn, and thrive—free from the confines of legal systems that often fail to understand their unique circumstances. This week, as we celebrate children worldwide, we’re spotlighting our Juvenile Justice Diversion Program, which aims to transform how we address children in conflict with the law. Instead of punitive measures, we focus on restorative justice, counseling, and community-based solutions that help children rebuild their lives without the stigma of incarceration. Through this program, we’ve seen firsthand how second chances can transform futures. A child once labeled as "troubled" can become a beacon of resilience and promise when given the right support. Together, let’s continue advocating for systems that prioritize compassion, fairness, and opportunity for every child. 🌱 Because when we uplift children, we build a brighter future for all. #InternationalDayOfChildren #JuvenileJustice #RestorativeJustice #JusticeNest #EveryChildMatters

I had the privilege of attending the 6th Annual North Carolina Family Justice Center & Collaborative Communities Conference 2024, a highly impactful event coordinated by the Guildford County Family Justice Center and Safe Alliance of Mecklenburg County. As a former Venezuelan jurisdiction attorney, and current Bilingual Legal Advocate, it was a great opportunity to engage with the latest discussions on domestic violence and family justice in a collaborative, U.S. context.   I had the chance to attend several insightful modules, including:   - Financial Empowerment after Abuse  - Strangulation in Criminal Cases  - Data & Evaluation: Findings from Study of Co-located Service Models for IPV/SV in North Carolina  - Advocacy Leadership in Collaborative Models - Evidence-based Prosecution: Building the Case  - North Carolina Legislative and Case Law Hot Topics - Collaborative Solutions in Elder Abuse - Serving Human Trafficking Survivors in a Family Justice Center - Polyvictimization and Enhanced Programming - Federal Domestic Violence Tools   Each session offered valuable insights into the work being done to improve outcomes for survivors of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, and elder abuse. The knowledge shared on effective strategies for collaborative service delivery, prosecution, and legislative action was truly eye-opening.   A highlight of the event was the opportunity to tour the **Greensboro & High Point Family Justice Centers**, where I was able to see firsthand the incredible work being done to support survivors.   Our team from DURHAM CRISIS RESPONSE CENTER was also present, further strengthening the sense of community and collaboration at this incredible event.   I look forward to continuing the conversations sparked by this conference and finding ways to contribute to and learn from these collaborative models in my own practice.   #NCFJC2024 #FamilyJustice #DomesticViolence #Collaboration #Advocacy #HumanTrafficking #FinancialEmpowerment #IPV #ElderAbuse #LegislativeAction #SurvivorSupport #DurhamCrisisResponse #GlobalPerspectives

✨ As 2024 comes to an end, we take a moment to reflect on a year of growth and progress for children impacted by parental imprisonment across Europe. This holiday season, we want to thank all of COPE’s supporters, partners and advocates who have stood by its mission to prevent and respond to violations of the rights of children with an imprisoned parent. This year has been full of important milestones: ⭐ In January, COPE delivered an introductory training session on child-sensitive arrest procedures to 68 law enforcement professionals from 10 EU member states in collaboration with the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL). ⭐ In April, COPE launched an online child survey (14 languages) that shaped its report on creating child-friendly prison environments, amplifying children’s voices to drive change. ⭐ Over the summer, the ‘Game with Mum & Dad’ campaign expanded, offering more children meaningful time with their parents on prison grounds. ⭐ In August, COPE contributed a submission to the UN draft General Comment no. 27 on Children’s Rights to Access Justice and Effective Remedies, highlighting unique and often overlooked challenges faced by children with a parent in prison. ⭐ In autumn, COPE hosted webinars, workshops and roundtables to strengthen children’s rights across social, justice and education systems. 🎉 A major milestone came on 12 December with the re-establishment of the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights for 2024–2029, ensuring children’s rights remain central to European policies. As we look to 2025, COPE is committed to ensuring every child receives fair treatment, equal opportunities and full protection of their rights. Read our latest newsletter for more on our 2024 achievements and what’s ahead in 2025 👉 https://lnkd.in/evm7sGtC

I didn’t attend the rally because, while Representative Froelich frames her laws as protecting children and survivors, the reality is that they are corrupting our courts, not safeguarding them. These laws, like the ones she champions on forced reunification and domestic violence, sound good on the surface, but they often lead to biased outcomes that further traumatize families rather than offering real protection. What’s missing from Froelich’s reforms is a balanced approach. The family court system is becoming more politicized, and instead of protecting families, it’s pushing an agenda that undermines the integrity of the courts. In practice, these laws can result in decisions that alienate one parent or remove due process, which harms families and children in the long run. The system is being skewed to serve special interests rather than to administer justice fairly. As a paralegal-mediator, I see firsthand how these laws create more harm than good by tipping the scales of justice, often leading to even more legal battles and suffering for families. We need real reform that restores trust in the courts and upholds the true best interests of the child, not legislation that pretends to help while worsening the problem. That’s why I stand against Froelich’s approach and push for laws that truly protect families without compromising the integrity of our courts. #CourtCorruption #ProtectFamilies #RealFamilyCourtReform #JusticeForFamilies #StopCourtBias #FairLegalSystem #FamilyCourtTruth #BalancedJustice #EndCourtTrauma #ParentalRights https://lnkd.in/gwK9-Qv6

And another major flaw in Representative Froelich’s abortion rights law is that it doesn’t define a fetus as a person, leaving this critical issue up for interpretation. This creates a situation where doctors, who are supposed to provide unbiased and comprehensive medical information, are divided. Some doctors refer to the fetus as merely a “clump of cells,” while others recognize it as a person with rights from conception. This inconsistency fails to give women the full picture, leaving them without adequate information to make a truly informed decision. Doctors have a duty to provide clear, medically accurate, and complete information to women about their pregnancy, but this law allows for ideological influence rather than scientific clarity. A woman facing such an important decision deserves transparency and facts—not to be swayed by political agendas that undermine her ability to make an informed choice. The law not only fails to protect unborn babies by refusing to define them as persons, but it also places women in a vulnerable position where they may not receive the full scope of information they need. The lack of a clear definition allows for the emotional and physical impacts of abortion to be downplayed or ignored entirely, leaving women to make decisions under misleading or incomplete guidance. We need laws that respect both women and unborn children by providing accurate information and ensuring that doctors fulfill their ethical duty to present all sides of the issue. Women deserve to make informed decisions without pressure from those who benefit from their vulnerability.

Maryland Youth Advisory Council Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Rev. Dr. Marlon Tilghman Maryland Youth Justice Coalition Legislators, Community Advocates, Impacted People. What/Why: Press Conference of Executive Report. Leaders who are serious about safety will recognize that effective responses must be informed by facts, not fears. This report, one year after the state enacted its most important juvenile justice reforms in a generation, offers a timely reminder of what is known about youth crime in Maryland, our state’s history of mass incarceration and racial disparities, and the effectiveness of age-appropriate supports and services in reducing unwanted behavior among young people. When it comes to public safety, what’s best for kids is best for everyone. Passing the YES Act, funding a robust continuum of services to support the Juvenile Justice Reform Act, and preserving the Child Interrogation Protection Act will help young people make better choices and make all Marylanders safer. Policymakers must take action now—and being serious about safety requires them to be guided by facts, not fears. The Maryland Youth Justice Coalition (MYJC) is calling upon lawmakers to enhance public safety by: Restoring, expanding, and coordinating access to age-appropriate supports and services for children and teens, Preserving the Juvenile Justice Reform Act and the Child Interrogation Protection Act, and Advancing the Youth Equity and Safety Act (YES Act) to keep minors out of the adult criminal legal system unless a judge has intentionally sent them there. Conclusion High rates of crime by young people are unacceptable. But so are policy responses that ignore the facts and lead to higher rates of incarceration, increased levels of recidivism, and shameful racial disparities. Recent reforms have set our state on the right path; it is crucially important that nationwide phenomena—ignited in large part by the COVID-19 pandemic—not divert us from this progress, which the nonprofit organization Human Rights for Kids singled out in its 2022 National State Ratings Report: ‘‘In 2020 we labeled Maryland among the ‘worst human rights offenders’ in the country and challenged it to be better. In the intervening years, Maryland took that challenge to heart.These valiant efforts earned Maryland the distinction of being named the ‘Most Improved State’ in our ratings this year. Furthermore, Maryland has now cemented itself among the best in the nation when it comes to safeguarding the human rights of children in the criminal justice system.” Because when it comes to public safety, what’s best for kids is best for everyone. All followers https://lnkd.in/efXjmMKH

CN member Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact): "We received a heart-warming message from a social worker at HMP Styal, highlighting the immense value of our 'Coffee and Crafts' mornings in the lives of the women there, like Louise*. Like many others, Louise doesn't receive visits and often feels the weight of isolation. But we're striving to change that narrative through the New Beginnings project at HMP Styal, funded by the Cheshire Community Foundation. Our 'Coffee and Crafts' sessions provide a safe haven where isolated women can come together and share stories, laughter, and creativity. These sessions aren't just about making pretty things – they're about forging connections and nurturing emotional wellbeing. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Women are forming friendships, supporting each other, and rediscovering hope. Let's continue to break down walls and promote hope and healing." *Name has been changed to protect anonymity. www.prisonadvice.org.uk

NEW: The relaunched #VisionForJustice platform from The Leadership Conference & Civil Rights Corps offers policy recommendations that shift criminal “justice” policy away from punitive social policy toward more effective policies that make our communities safer. We don’t have to choose between community safety and equal justice - we can have both. The #VisionForJustice platform envisions a new system that acknowledges our humanity, is just and equitable, and offers opportunities for second chances. Learn more: VisionForJustice.org