YOUTH ENGAGEMENT

Case Study:Juvenile Justice Reform

Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ)

• 250,000 youth prosecuted in adult court every year

• 10,000 youth in adult jails and prisons on any day

• 60,000 youth in juvenile prisons on any day

• $88,000 average cost of incarcerating a youth per/year

• $6 billion annually to incarcerate youth

Dedicated to ending the practice of trying, sentencing and incarcerating youth (under 18) in the adult criminal justice system

CFYJ works with youth, parents and their families who are directly affected, as well as grassroots organizations, state-based advocates, policymakers and the media.

Principles of Youth EngagementFrom the Forum for Youth Investment

Opportunity: Youth need authentic access to change-makers, as well as connections to the broader youth community.

Capacity: Youth need the training, tools and teams to be prepared to engage in change efforts.

Motivation: Youth need the time to learn about community issues and the chance to decide what issues they want to address.

Foundation: Youth need to be connected to a solid organization or group that is able to foster membership, continuity and a supportive work environment.

OPPORTUNITY:

Youth VoiceIdentify opportunitiesProvide an honorariumAssist with prep/follow upPublic presentationsPolicy discussionsHearings before legislative bodiesMeetings with elected officials

ConferencesActive participation

NetworkingIdentify opportunities

Did you know that the public ranked former youth offenders as the #1 most credible messengers on juvenile justice issues?

Youth leading policy discussions on juvenile justice reform in the District

CAPACITY:

TrainingSpokesperson TrainingFellow orientationOn-the-job training

ToolsComputer access (+ training)

TeamsAssigned supervisorCollaboration with CFYJ team & alllies

Mentoring

Direct ServicesBusiness attireHousingJob referralsContactsWrap-around services

MOTIVATION:

FellowshipsPaid position/stipendWritten job descriptionGoals & specific projectsAssigned supervisor

Job ShadowingWork with specific staff personShadow staff/ED

FOUNDATION:

Connection to CFYJSpokespersonPaid fellowship

PartnershipsFree Minds Book ClubMentoring TodaySee ForeverDC DYRS

CONSIDERATIONS:• Is this an authentic youth voice or the view of the

advocates?• Tradeoffs between youth empowerment and protecting

youth from negative repercussions of visible involvement in advocacy

• How do we resolve the fact that JJ advocates have been disseminating negative messages on adolescent brain development?

• Is this meaningful youth involvement or is it tokenism?• Are we respecting the youth’s confidentiality?• What are our motivations? Is this exploitation or is this a

positive, tangible opportunity for the youth?• What are the mental health impact of sharing traumatic

experiences?• Have we considered the potential long-term impact on

the youth’s employment and educational opportunities?• Consider the potential for retaliation inside juvenile

detention, corrections, jails and prisons • Consider the potential for negative repercussions on

youth’s family if identity in advocacy efforts disclosed• Consistency is crucial and must be maintained by the

staff

Before undertaking a project to engage youth in policy and advocacy efforts, it is crucial to take into consideration these kinds of questions & issues:

State Juvenile Justice Reforms on Reducing Transfer, Jails & Prisons

CFYJ National Spokesperson Dwayne Betts

Started speaking at university classes in 2005 just after release from prison

Honorarium for speaking engagements

Presenter at national policymaker conferences

National book tour & speaking with incarcerated youth

Advising youth spokespersons

OSI Fellowship

Outcome: Informed policymakers at the federal, state, local level

Dwayne Betts book tour

Local DC reforms: Youth in adult criminal courtPartnered with Free Minds Book Club

Youth and Parents testifying before D.C. Council on status of youth in adult criminal court

Paid honorariums, prep & follow up

Identified issues with treatment of youth in adult court

Organized family visit to North Dakota

Families and youth reunion, call for bringing youth closer to home

Outcome: BOP changed policy, youth no longer in ND, now in DC

DC Family Reunion in North Dakota

The Washington PostIn Prison at the 'End of the Earth‘D.C. Youths Are Jailed Across the U.S., Making Family Connections DifficultBy Robert E. PierreWashington Post Staff WriterSaturday, December 27, 2008

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. -- The 15 travelers from the District were exhausted after a 1,500- mile journey. It was not yet dawn. They had been on the road for 24 hours, and sub-zero temperatures smacked them in the face like needles, stinging cheeks and tearing up eyes.

But the weariness and discomfort were nothing compared with the ache of lying awake nights wondering whether a teenage son behind bars halfway across the country was eating right or getting health care or being abused. Now, only minutes, and the brick walls of the Lake Region Law Enforcement Center, separated them from the eight D.C. teenagers incarcerated here.

"This is my Christmas," said Frances Williams of Southeast Washington, whose 17-year-old son, Marquis Hicks, is a year into a three-year sentence for armed robbery.

Baltimore advocacy: Stopping the Youth JailState of Maryland to invest $100 million + in a new youth jail for youth

Youth wanted to stop the jail

Youth and adults work together to organize a rally, contact media, launch a campaign on the web

Youth leading the effort: Baltimore Algebra Project, Community Law in Action and others

NCCD reports on why jail not needed

Outcome: Jail halted (for now!)

Federal advocacy: Informing the U.S. Depts. of Education & JusticeInvited CFYJ ED to attend a meeting / listening session about re-entry policies

Asked to extend invitation to one of our youth

Michael Kemp asked to speak, share his perspectives

Very well received

Outcome: More informed federal policymakers

Lessons Learned: Youth are Part of the Solution

On-going learning process

Difficult work: Not all efforts will be successful. Don’t let that deter you from taking this on

Advocates need to change the way we do business: Power Sharing

Intensive support: Direct services, after hours, beyond the job description, transportation, justice system coordination

Funding position(s) for youth spokespersons and organizers is needed

Tremendous positive impact for youth and the community

Contact:

Campaign for Youth Justice202-558-3580

Jointhemovement@cfyj.orgwww.campaignforyouthjustice.org

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