Right-sizing jurisdiction

Restoring policies and jurisdictional boundaries that recognize the real developmental differences between youth and adults

Recent scientific research has dramatically demonstrated what adults have long understood about adolescents: they are developmentally different than adults. The juvenile justice system was created both to hold young people accountable and to provide for their rehabilitation, yet the boundaries and distinctive features of juvenile justice have become dangerously unsettled in the past few decades. Far beyond any “safety valve” for only the most serious cases, automatic transfer laws sweep youth traditionally capable of benefiting from treatment and rehabilitation in the juvenile system into the adult system, where they are more likely to be harmed and to re-offend once released.

Models for Change is supporting a broad-based effort to “right-size” the boundaries of the juvenile justice system, and preserve its century-old commitment to individualized treatment and recognition of developmental differences, and Illinois has selected the issue as a targeted area of improvement.

Through reforms in policies, practices and laws, Models for Change is working to keep young people in the juvenile justice system, where they can receive the most developmentally and individually appropriate treatment to help them turn their lives around.

Reform Progress

Juvenile Detention Reform Helping to Ease Overcrowding: Aug 6, 2010, Louisiana Models for Change
National Juvenile Justice Network to present Jefferson Parish's Children and Youth Planning Board with Award for Leadership in Juvenile Justice Reform: May 20, 2010, Louisiana Models for Change
Bryan Stevenson on Juveniles Sentenced to Life Without Parole: May 17, 2010, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

More Reform Progress Items »

Newsroom

Stolen Futures - Seventeen: 8/31/2010 by The Chicago Reporter; by Angela Caputo
Opinion: Young Offenders are Different: 8/27/2010 by The News-Star (Monroe, Louisiana); by Dana Kaplan
Editorial: Recommit to Serving Troubled Teens: 8/3/2010 by The Daily Herald

More News Items »

Publications

Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist - Poster: The purpose of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Collateral Consequences Checklist…
Juvenile Court Training Curriculum, 2nd Ed.: Intended for juvenile court judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and…
Pathways to Desistance Talking Points: New Research Shows Community-Based Alternatives as Effective as…

More publications »

Contacts

Campaign for Youth Justice: (202) 558-3580
National Juvenile Justice Network: (202) 467-0864
Juvenile Justice Initiative: (217) 522-7970
National Center for Juvenile Justice: (412) 227-6950