A Republican congressman introduced a bill to end life-without-parole and defacto life sentences for children in the federal criminal justice system. The bill, known as HR 6011, was introduced by congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), according to an opinion piece published on September 16 in The Hill by Marc Levin (vice president of criminal justice policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and its Right on Crime initiative) and Jody Kent Lavy (executive director of the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth). “Should it pass, HR … [Read more...] about HR 6011 a bill to end children’s life without parole
Juvenile Justice
The importance of good character and integrity in prison
Cost of reputation, Part 1 Editor’s note: Survival in prison often depends on reputation. A good reputation confers respect and longevity. A bad reputation may result in being ostracized, extorted, assaulted or, worse, murdered. This three-part series will feature stories of survival and redemption. “When I first came to prison I wanted to be left alone, not to be harassed or victimized by other inmates,” said Marty Walters, 50, who has been incarcerated 30 years for first-degree murder. “So, I acted like a tough guy and made weapons because … [Read more...] about The importance of good character and integrity in prison
Jamaica uses Restorative Justice to fight crime
Jamaica’s Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has found alternative ways to fight crime by using restorative justice practices, according the Jamaica Observer. “Getting wrongdoers to accept responsibility is the essence of restorative justice, which is why I am so committed to having restorative justice spread in every nook and cranny…every schoolroom, every church and every inner-city community across Jamaica,” Chuck said. Chuck’s initiative will focus on youth violence, urban street gangs and social media, according to the article. Training … [Read more...] about Jamaica uses Restorative Justice to fight crime
The Affects of PTSD on Juvenile Inmates {Part 2}
This is the second installment of a two-part series detailing the impact of trauma on incarcerated men’s likelihood of success at the parole board. I had been at a maximum-security prison for only three weeks when I saw a stabbing for the first time. I was in my cell when I heard an alarm sounding. I looked out my window and saw two guys wrestling on the ground, stabbing each other; blood was everywhere. I remember my cellmate nonchalantly going to the door, taking a peek and saying, “Oh there’s a stabbing,” and going back to his … [Read more...] about The Affects of PTSD on Juvenile Inmates {Part 2}
The Effects of PTSD on Juvenile Inmates Part 1
This is the first installment of a two-part series detailing the impact of trauma on incarcerated men’s likelihood of success at the parole board. In the many group discussions held each day in San Quentin, it is not uncommon to hear men raise their hands and say, “I don’t know how to connect with myself.” I felt this way, too, for many years. I thought I was alone in that feeling, but I wasn’t. I realized many incarcerated people were disconnected from their emotions, due in part to a lack of awareness about trauma’s impacts. Trauma … [Read more...] about The Effects of PTSD on Juvenile Inmates Part 1
Juvenile Interrogation Techniques Can Result in False Confessions
Children are now being exposed to a controversial interrogation technique by adults that can lead to false confessions the American Bar Association (ABA) reports. The ABA newsletter urges parents and teachers to fight the use of the Reid Technique in their schools. It encourages parents to demand that they be notified before a principal plans to interrogate their child. John E. Reid & Associates, the developers of the Reid Technique, “appears to be expanding the use of its technique on kids. In addition to training police … [Read more...] about Juvenile Interrogation Techniques Can Result in False Confessions
Juvenile Lifers Unprepared for Board Hearings
While some youthful offenders are finding new hope in getting out of prison, more are not found suitable for release or are unprepared for their board hearing. Last year, legislation passed to allow inmates whose crimes were committed as minors to appear before the parole board after serving at least 15 years of their sentence. From Jan. 1, 2014 through May 31, the board held 664 youth offender hearings, resulting in 189 grants, 410 denials, 63 stipulations to unsuitability, and two split votes that required referral to the full Board for … [Read more...] about Juvenile Lifers Unprepared for Board Hearings
The ‘Hidden Victims’
Children with incarcerated mothers are often referred to as “hidden victims,” and are among the most at-risk population in the United States, a study reports. “Children with incarcerated mothers are at heightened risk for attachment disturbance, leading to depression, anxiety, and other trauma-related stress,” stated a report published by the Columbia Social Work Review. The report found that the number of incarcerated women who have children has increased by 87 percent since 1990, with Black and Hispanic women representing the majority … [Read more...] about The ‘Hidden Victims’
Capturing the Stories of 1,000 Jailed Juveniles
An unassuming “gentle giant,” Richard Ross is a photojournalist who spent five years traveling 30 states to interview more than 1,000 incarcerated youths in the U. S. He captured pictures and stories that he has published in a book called “Juvenile In Justice.” “At the outset of this project I wanted to give a voice to those with the least amount of authority in any U.S confinement system…These are stories of young lives reduced to a paragraph of information. What they have in common is poverty, violence and a diminished view of the … [Read more...] about Capturing the Stories of 1,000 Jailed Juveniles
Senate Pushes Bill 124 to Reduce Juvenile Solitary Confinement
Legislation that limits the use of solitary confinement at state and county juvenile correctional facilities was passed by the California Senate. It is now before the State Assembly. Senate Bill 124, authored by Sen. Mark Leno, creates statewide standards that encourage the use of less damaging and more effective disciplinary actions. The bill is similar to a settlement recently reached between Contra Costa County and disability rights advocates following allegations of solitary confinement abuses of special needs youth in that county’s … [Read more...] about Senate Pushes Bill 124 to Reduce Juvenile Solitary Confinement