Members of Families & Allies of Virginia’s Youth agree to the following ten principles.
They guide our advocacy for reform of Virginia’s local and state juvenile justice systems.
1. Reduce institutionalization of youth. Secure detention and incarceration should only be used for youth who pose serious public safety risks. Alternatives to locked facilities should be available for youth who commit nonviolent or status offenses.
2. Reduce racial disparity. Youth of color are dramatically over-represented in Virginia’s juvenile justice system. African American youth are 23% of the state‘s youth population, but they are 44% of youth who are brought to intake, 55% of those in detention, 66% of those in youth prisons, and more than 75% of those who are sent to adult court. This “disproportionate minority contact” must be reduced.
3. Create smaller, rehabilitative institutions. Large, remote youth prisons (”correctional centers”) are ineffective and have high recidivism rates. They should be replaced with smaller, local facilities that provide appropriate programs and services based on proven youth development approaches.
4. Create a range of community-based alternatives to incarceration. Proven alternative programs based in youths’ communities are more effective than youth prisons in developing youth and keeping them from re-offending. These should include restorative justice approaches that address the needs of youth, victims, and communities.
5. Keep youth out of the adult criminal system. Youth tried as adults are much more likely to commit more crimes, to be abused and to commit suicide, especially if they are held in adult jails and prisons. Youth are developmentally different from adults; our response to them should include age-appropriate facilities and services.
6. Maximize youth, family and community participation. Juvenile justice systems must partner with youth, families and communities in order to create better outcomes. Youth and families are juvenile justice stakeholders who must be represented at the policy-making table at the local and state level.
7. Ensure meaningful access to legal counsel. Throughout the court process, all youth need access to attorneys who are qualified and have adequate resources and training. Youth also have a right to access to legal counsel after adjudication, especially when they are held in secure facilities.
8. Improve aftercare and re-entry. Programs and services, education and/or job placement must be planned and coordinated to help young people succeed when they are released from secure facilities.
9. Recognize and serve youth with special needs. Youth whose primary problems are mental health, substance abuse, learning, and developmental problems should not be dumped into the juvenile justice system. Schools should use positive and restorative disciplinary approaches that reduce the number of youth who are pushed out or who drop out of school.
10. Hold systems accountable for youth outcomes. Juvenile justice systems must be held accountable for keeping youth safe and providing the services and programs youth need to develop into productive adults.
To learm nore about principles 1-9, read the Youth Transition Funders Group essay A Blueprint for Juvenile Justice Reform, available at http://www.ytfg.org/documents/JEHT_SecondEdition.pdf.
