Fifty years ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children have a right to counsel, but many kids in the juvenile system are still left unrepresented, according to a new report. Children of color are disproportionately affected, and they make up a majority of arrests, says the May report by the National Juvenile Defender Center. Other key findings: --Despite the court ruling, “Children in the United States are not guaranteed lawyers.” Only 11 states provide every child accused of an offense with a lawyer, regardless of financial … [Read more...] about USSC Children’s right to counsel
Youth Offender
Keep kids out of the system
Several counties in the U.S. have implemented a new program that has helped to keep kids out of the juvenile justice system, according to The Crime Report. Called “System of Care,” the program is “changing the way the county addresses juvenile crime” since it was launched in November, wrote Anne Jungen in Wisconsin’s La Crosse Tribune. The program focuses on kids in school. System of Care “fills a gap between how schools handle misconduct and what the juvenile justice system provides by addressing the [troublesome or acting out] behavior … [Read more...] about Keep kids out of the system
Youth offender who realizes opportunity a little too late
Many youth offenders who find themselves incarcerated at San Quentin fail to recognize the opportunities available to them and end up transferred to higher level institutions due to behavioral infractions. “I didn’t realize what I had here in San Quentin,” said Andrew Joseph Biovin, 21, a youth offender who was deemed a program failure and was transferred out of San Quentin. “Now I want to go to programs and learn all I can. Now, it’s real. Now I care.” In 2013, a new law AB1276, allowed new offenders between the ages of 18 and 23 an … [Read more...] about Youth offender who realizes opportunity a little too late
Dear Kid CAT by Saul Martinez
My name is Saul Martinez and I have been incarcerated for the past 20 years and on Jan. 9, 2018, I was found suitable for parole during my first board appearance. My hearing lasted five hours, and when the time came for the victim’s family to speak, they spoke about pardon and forgiveness. By the time the board announced their decision, they said I no longer posed a danger to society and they found me suitable for parole. I was able to have a successful hearing through a number of groups that I have attended. Of particular importance in my … [Read more...] about Dear Kid CAT by Saul Martinez
CA senators bill baring juveniles from adult courts
Two California senators introduce a bill that would bar prosecutors from trying juveniles 15 years old and younger in adult court. The proposal that would “bar prosecutors from asking that minors to be tried in adult court if they were 14 or 15 years old at the time of their crime….(is) one of several in a package of bills introduced by Sens. Holly J. Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) and Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens),” The Los Angeles Times reported. Other bills proposed by Mitchell and Lara would repeal a one-year sentence enhancement for prior … [Read more...] about CA senators bill baring juveniles from adult courts
Life of crime overturned by positive choices
A variety of rehabilitative programs, including dance, helped Anouthinh Pangthong turn his life around despite a rocky youth and 21 years in prison since the age of 15. “Life in prison can become tedious, doing the same thing over and over. Sparks of violence would break the monotony. When an opportunity came to do something different through dancing, I jumped at the chance. My life has since been anything but ordinary,” said Pangthong. “Dancing really saved my life.” Pangthong, known to his friends as Choy, is the latest Kid CAT member to be … [Read more...] about Life of crime overturned by positive choices
Valley State Prison holds inaugural YOP graduation
Valley State Prison (Chowchilla) celebrated a milestone earlier this year when it hosted its inaugural Youth Offender Program (YOP) graduation. The ceremony recognized 97 young prisoners who lived up to their commitments to complete various rehabilitative programs. The graduates successfully reached their goals of earning high school diplomas or general education diplomas (GED), learning vocation trades or enrolling into college courses, according to the prison press release. The young offenders personally selected the goals that they … [Read more...] about Valley State Prison holds inaugural YOP graduation
Youth Justice Coalition Survey
Youth Justice Coalition needs your help with their survey. This organization is seeking information on those who were convicted under the felony murder rule in California and under certain aspects of second-degree murder. Does any of the following apply to you? First-degree felony murder: all participants are liable for homicide Whether one performed the homicidal act or not, or was even at the scene of the killing—all are liable for first-degree murder. Second-degree felony murder: All participants in an inherently dangerous … [Read more...] about Youth Justice Coalition Survey
Reforms in Illinois juvenile system blocked by youth assaults
Reforms in Illinois’ juvenile justice system are under attack by prosecutors who are responding to a steady flow of staff complaints to law enforcement over youth assaults. “State officials and juvenile justice advocates say the prosecutions are fueled, in part, by employees’ resistance to the statewide reforms,” ProPublica reported. Workers at the Harrisburg Illinois Youth Center have sought more criminal charges for assaults on staff over the past two years than employees at the state’s four other juvenile facilities … [Read more...] about Reforms in Illinois juvenile system blocked by youth assaults
Maryland govenor to grant juveniles parole
Maryland has not paroled any juvenile offenders serving life sentences in more than 20 years. But this February, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced a process to grant parole to these juvenile offenders, reported the Washington Post. The move was in response to pressure from advocates, lawmakers and the court system, some of whom still say the order doesn’t go far enough. “Tennessee is 17.1 percent Black, but Blacks make up 69 percent of all drug-free school zone offenders…” REASON Magazine, January 2018 Hogan said that since taking office, his … [Read more...] about Maryland govenor to grant juveniles parole