A recent report by the W. Haywood Burns Institute indicates that while California’s current corrections policies appear to be race-neutral, data shows that many young people of color are being incarcerated at higher rates than white youth for non-criminal acts rather than being treated for mental health and behavioral health needs. The report, titled “Non-Judicial Drivers into the Juvenile Justice System for Youth of Color” , highlights multiple studies that point to the same conclusion: …
On the subject of the Governor’s juvenile justice budget triggers, the California District Attorney’s Association (CDAA) announced in the New York Times on Sunday, “Obviously we would like him to drop that cut, and cut from other places,” said Scott Thorpe, chief executive of the California District Attorneys Association. On January 1, 2012 Governor Brown’s budget triggers came into effect. Among many deep cuts across government agencies, the triggers require counties to pay approximately…
Blog Dec 30, 2011
Adults with juvenile records
Adolescence is a challenging time for most people. Teenagers undergo significant developmental, physical, psychological, and social changes during a condensed decade of time. We have all done embarrassing things as adolescents; however, we are comforted by our coming of age and the slow regression of those memories. According to a recent study , while 1 in 3 Americans have some contact with the juvenile justice system — most are cited for infractions. Youth who commit crime are in the…
Blog Dec 22, 2011
Bold and innovative leadership from Alameda County
Alameda County’s Chief Probation Officer David Muhammad demonstrates innovative and determined leadership through his new approach to serving juvenile justice involved youth. He employs a youth development framework that views youthful offenders not simply as a “bundle of needs and problems”, but rather as individuals with real resiliency and strengths that can be incorporated into their plan for rehabilitation and reentry. In his recent keynote address at the California Wellness…
Blog Dec 20, 2011
The Juvenile Crime Decline [video blog]
CJCJ Senior Research Fellow, Mike Males talks about hopeful trends in California’s juvenile crime rates, and gives an optimistic outlook on the future of California’s youth and juvenile justice system. You can read his latest report on the juvenile crime decline here: http://www.cjcj.org/files/Deincarceration_2011.pdf ~ Mike Males, Ph.D. CJCJ Senior Research Fellow