Pamela, Many communities are facing backlash against reforms that have made the criminal legal system less punitive. But returning to failed "tough-on-crime" policies does more harm than good—especially for young people. |
Right now, some jurisdictions are revisiting harsher penalties for adolescents—including treating juveniles as adults in court and increasing the use of incarceration—despite evidence that these tactics fail to prevent crime and create lasting harms.
What's more, many young people already face criminalization for behaviors that are only illegal because of their age. Thousands of kids every year are handcuffed, taken to court, or locked up for "status offenses" like skipping school, running away from home, or violating curfew.
This is particularly true for girls and gender-expansive youth, who are often criminalized due to family conflict, abuse, and housing instability.
Pamela, locking up young people doesn't make them—or our communities—safer. What if, instead of telling girls and gender-expansive youth what they need, we listened to what they say would truly help them? |
A better future is possible. Vera's Ending Girls' Incarceration initiative partners with young people, advocates, and service providers nationwide to build services that meet young people's needs in their communities—from housing, to conflict-intervention resources, to diversion programs.
Community-centered programs offer real solutions that provide safety, healing, and opportunity without the harms of incarceration.
It's time to invest in the freedom of girls and gender-expansive youth. When lives and futures are at stake, this is not just their fight—it's all of ours. Together, we can end girls' incarceration and build safer communities for everyone.
In solidarity,
Lindsay — |
Lindsay Rosenthal
Initiative Director, Ending Girls' Incarceration
Vera Institute of Justice |
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