ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBER
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
Los Angeles Office
1320 East 7th St, Suite 260Los Angeles, CA 90021
Phone: 213-955-5885
Email: info@antirecidivism.org
Web: http://www.antirecidivism.org/
Twitter: @AntiRecidivism
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ANTIRECIDIVISMCOALITION
Bikila Ochoa
Policy Director
Email: bochoa@antirecidivism.org
Phone: 213-955-5885
Organizational Profile
ARC's mission is to change lives and create safe, healthy communities by providing a support and advocacy network for, and comprised of, formerly incarcerated men and women. ARC seeks to accomplish this mission by advocating for fair and just policies in the juvenile and criminal justice systems, and providing services, support and opportunities to those in and coming home from the system. ARC's policy advocay aims to reduce crime, decrease the use of incarceration, improve the outcomes of the formerly incarcerated, and increase investment in the people and communities most impacted by crime and incarceration.
Arts for Healing and Justice Network
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: (310) 962-6000
Email: info@ahjnetwork.org
Web: https://ahjnetwork.org/
Twitter: @AIYNetwork
Elida Ledesma
Email: elida@ahjnetwork.org
Organizational Profile
The Arts for Incarcerated Youth Network (AIYN) is an interdisciplinary collaborative that provides exceptional arts programming in order to build resiliency and wellness, eliminate recidivism, and transform the juvenile justice system.
AIYN is a network of peers. As such, our norms, guidelines, and expectations of each other are driven by our members. We are an open network in that we are always open to new members who share our collectively articulated values, approach, and principles. New members are brought in through a standardized series of peer interviews, site visit, and exploratory partnership. All members have their own curriculum, disciplines, and pedagogy, while also supporting each others growth and the growth of the field. Membership has no fee, but does come with expectations of behavior in alignment with the following articulated principles:
1) We believe in investing in youth wellbeing, first and foremost.
2) We believe arts are uniquely positioned to strengthen young people, and create pathways for youth success, and catalyze systems change. Arts should be valued as foundational to investing in youth wellbeing.
3) We believe in collaboration as an effective strategy for large-scale systemic, cultural, and political change, and model partnership with each other and with others
California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice
David Muhammad, Director
Email: dmuhammad@hotmail.com
Phone: 510-746-6111
Web: www.caycj.org
Email: info@caycj.org
Twitter: @CAYCJ12
Life After Uncivil Ruthless Acts
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Phone: (323) 816-9651
Email: info@laurala.org
Web: http://www.laurala.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeafteruncivilruthlessactsLA
Twitter: @LAURAunity
Adela Barajas
Email: adelab@laurala.org
Organizational Profile
Life After Uncivil Ruthless Acts was founded by Adela Barajas. She and seven other siblings grew up in the South Central Los Angeles area and attended local schools. When her sister-in-law, Laura, was murdered in a drive-by shooting, she was compelled to become a part of the solution. She became a community advocate and is committed to finding ways to turn such tragedies into positive outcomes for her family and community. She has become a support system for Laura’s kids and other victims’ survivors in her community who are dealing with the cruel tragedy of losing a loved one.
Mission Statement L.A.U.R.A. is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the residents of South Central Los Angeles. We accomplish this by empowering youth, victim-survivors, and their families through civic awareness; facilitating community collaboration; and bringing a wide range of resources to the community.
Vision
Our Vision Our vision is to create a thriving, sustainable, safe, and clean community for all the residents of South Central Los Angeles. Through community collaboration, partnership development, and innovative initiatives, we hope to one day have multiple youth resource centers within in our community.
UCLA School of Law Criminal Justice Program
Leah Gasser-Ordaz
Email: gasser-ordaz@law.ucla.edu
The Criminal Justice Program (CJP) serves as a central hub for UCLA Law’s work in the area of criminal and juvenile law.
Youth Justice Coalition
7625 S. Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90001
Phone: 323-235-4243
Fax: 323-846-9472
Email: action@youth4justice.org
Web: https://youthjusticela.org/
Twitter: @YouthJusticeLA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouthJusticeLA/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youthjusticela/
Anthony Robles
Email
Organization Profile
The YJC is working to build a movement to challenge race, gender and class inequality in Los Angeles County’s, California’s and the nation’s juvenile injustice systems. We are working to dismantle policies and institutions that have ensured the massive criminalization, lock-up and deportation of people of color, widespread police violence and distrust between police and communities, violation of youth and communities’ Constitutional and Human rights, and the build-up of the world’s largest prison system. We use coalition building, direct action organizing, public policy advocacy and activist arts to mobilize youth and their allies to reduce America’s addiction to incarceration, increase community-based alternatives, decrease police suppression tactics (including “broken windows” and the “wars” on gangs and drugs), end the school-to-jail track, and to improve conditions of confinement including working to end Life Without Parole and other extreme sentencing of youth. The YJC is one of the nation’s few organizing projects led by system-involved youth, liberated lifers and our families.
In the fall of 2007, the YJC founded Free L.A. High School ages 16 to 24 to build stronger youth leadership, through a curriculum that trains young people in direct action organizing, campaign research, media and communications, arts activism, and public policy development and advocacy. Free L.A. High School also serves as an alternative to detention and incarceration for youth who face confinement, an educational site for youth who have been suspended or expelled from schools or entire districts, a school for youth returning home from lock-ups, and a more respectful and smaller program for youth who have left traditional schools discouraged.
Goals of Youth Justice Coalition:
- Shut Down CYA! Replace CYA facilities with small community based facilities that focus on youth development, education, job training and drug treatment, and separate the management of these facilities from state corrections.
- Eliminate the “War on Gangs!” End the practices used by guards to stir up conflict between rival gang members and different races. Develop practices that end the overuse and abuse of the gang database system. Stop the police tactics that stir-up conflict and get people killed. Push law enforcement to support the ongoing gang truces and build similar truces in other neighborhoods.
- Keep youth out of adult prisons! Prevent state policies that increase the rate of youth transfers to adult prisons. Push for a state law prohibiting the future lock-up of anyone under age 18 in adult jails and prisons, and reject state proposals to increase the CYA’s age of jurisdiction from 25 years old to 21 years old.
- Improve CYA conditions! Establish a task force to address the conditions in CYA facilities in order to improve the mental health needs of youth, stop over medication and misdiagnosis of youth, facilitate and encourage family contact, eliminate the use of solitary confinement, and establish an independent agency to investigate youth complaints and staff conduct.
- End the school-to-jail tracking in public schools! Stop the criminalization of students and the practices that make schools look and act more like prisons. End the unequal funding of schools in poor communities and the under funding and quality of probation and continuations schools. Speed up and facilitate the enrollment of students coming out from lock-up into public schools.
- Enforce voting rights for people in the system! Stop blocking, discouraging, and violating the rights of youth in custody to register and vote.
YOUTH JUSTICE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ALUMNI MEMBERS
Anthony DiMartino
California State Assembly
Phone: 916-319-2079
Areas of Expertise: Mental Health, Trauma, Community Violence, Gang Affiliation/Association
Bio: Anthony DiMartino earned a BA in psychology from the University of Redlands and a master’s degree in social welfare from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. After graduating from UCLA, Anthony worked for the City of Long Beach, helping develop the City’s Violence Prevention Plan. Shortly after, Anthony served as the grant writer for the L.A. Mayor’s Gang Reduction and Youth Development Department. In 2014-2015, Anthony completed the NJJN YJLI fellowship. Anthony currently serves as a California State legislative aide in the office of Assemblymember Shirley Weber, staffing Dr. Weber on Public Safety and Education issues.
Jennifer Kim
Aurora Lopez
Nadiyah Shereff
daNaE Tapia
Alicia Virani
Lynn Wu
Rene Casas
Valerie Salazar
Found 149 matches.
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A Minimum Age for California's Juvenile Legal System: Lessons on Collaborative Research to Drive Legislative Change
Tags: California | Advocacy | Fact Sheets and Briefs
The Problem: Most U.S. states lack a minimum age of juvenile legal jurisdiction, which leaves young children vulnerable to a harsh, punitive system that causes lifelong adverse health and social outcomes. However, partnership between academics, advocates, and policymakers can catalyze legislative change to set minimum ages.
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Podcast Episode 3: Edin Madrid Talks About His Journey To Advocacy
Tags: California | Advocacy | NJJN Publications
Edin Madrid with NJJN member The Anti-Recidivism Coalition tells the story of his life before incarceration, and what ultimately led him to the path he’s on now, the things he’s learned about the justice system from his mentors both in and outside it, and his passion for the work that needs to be done to give young people a more fair opportunity.
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Connecticut and New York Raise Minimum Age of Prosecution
In 2021, 14 states introduced legislation to raise either the minimum age of detention, commitment, or prosecution, more broadly characterized as minimum age laws. So far, three states have passed legislation: Connecticut raising their minimum age of prosecution from 7 to 10, New York raising their age from 7 to 12 and setting the minimum age of secure detention to 13, and Mississippi setting a minimum age of commitment at 12 years old. These states join California, Massachusetts, Utah, and Nebraska who have successfully raised the age of child prosecution.
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Shut Down Sequel: Progress Report
Tags: Alabama | California | Michigan | Minnesota | Ohio | Oregon | Utah | Deinstitutionalization | Institutional Conditions | Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Privatization | Advocacy | NJJN Publications
Shut Down Sequel Progress Report, outlining progress made in our efforts to shut down Sequel facilities and advocate for systemic reforms. NJJN repeats its call for states to end ties with Sequel, but compel states to go further in implementing protections for kids by: 1) ending the use of for-profit facilities for youth, 2) banning the use of restraint, and 3) bringing youth home, prioritizing community-based care over harmful congregate care settings.
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California Ramping Down State Youth Prisons Shows Power of Advocacy
In September, California experienced a major shift in justice policy when its Governor Gavin Newsome signed SB 823, a bill that outlined a major overhaul of the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). Beginning July 1, 2021, the state will shift power and authority for youth corrections to California’s Department of Health and Human Services (CHHS) in a newly established Department of Youth and Community Restoration. Further, counties will now receive grant funds to take control of youth corrections, allowing young people to stay close to home and access family and community support. Counties will formulate their own plans to care for the needs of young people.
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YJLI Alum Anthony DiMartino Advocates for Healthy and Just Communities in California
Interview with YJLI Alumni Profile: Anthony DiMartino YJLI Fellow, 2014
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Defund police 2020 Hipster vs. Homie YJC
Tags: California
Defund police 2020 Hipster vs. Homie YJC
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Defund police 2020 YJC Intervention Law Enforcement Comparison
Tags: California
Defund police 2020 YJC Intervention Law Enforcement Comparison
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Defund police YJC - ProtectTheYouth FreeLA 2020-2021 LA COUNTY YOUTH JUSTICE BUDGET with logos
Tags: California
Defund police YJC - ProtectTheYouth FreeLA 2020-2021 LA COUNTY YOUTH JUSTICE BUDGET with logos
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Defund police YJC - LA City Budget Infographic
Tags: California
Defund police YJC - LA City Budget Infographic
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Defund police YJC - the-high-costs-of-arresting-LA-youth_2020
Tags: California
Defund police YJC - the-high-costs-of-arresting-LA-youth_2020
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COVID-19 Resource_YouthJusticeCoalitionLetter
Tags: California | Institutional Conditions
Youth Justice Coalition has drafted a letter calling for L.A. to take steps to protect youth from COVID-19. (Insert Link)
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Valerie Salazar Wants to Help Youth Write Their Own Story
YJLI Profile: Valerie Salazar, CASA Volunteer, JJDPC Commissioner, and Community Advocate
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Webinar | Pre-Booking Diversion: Why It's Needed and How to Increase Racial Equity
On September 25, 2019, the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC), the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), and Human Impact Partners came together to discuss their work with the Office of Youth Diversion and Development to advance a pre-booking diversion initiative. The initiative aims to prevent youth youth arrests and referrals to probation, based on a public health and youth development framework.
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8th Free Metro Pass Campaign Report
Tags: California | Prevention | Reports | Member Publications
Report arguing for free student Metro passes over law enforcement criminalization of riders for fare evasion. Youth Justice Coalition.
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A Roadmap for Advancing Youth Diversion in Los Angeles County
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Prevention
Youth diversion is broadly defined as an intervention that redirects system responses in order to prevent a young person’s involvement or further involvement in the justice system. Although there is wide variation in diversion programming nationwide, evidence suggests that diverting young people from the juvenile justice system as early as possible is a promising practice. When implemented well, youth diversion programs can improve outcomes for youth otherwise at risk for long‐term involvement in the justice system and the associated damage to their health and wellbeing. Effective youth diversion can also improve public safety and reduce system costs. It is in this context that the Youth Diversion Subcommittee (YDS) and the CEO developed this report as a roadmap for future diversion efforts.
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Advancing Racial Equity in Youth Diversion: An Evaluation Framework Informed by Los Angeles County
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Prevention | Teleconference | Partner Publications
In 2017, Los Angeles County established an Office of Youth Diversion and Development to advance a collaboratively designed pre-booking diversion initiative that prevents youth from getting formally arrested or referred to probation during encounters with law enforcement. Human Impact Partners and the Los Angeles (LA) County Office of Youth Diversion and Development (YDD) partnered to develop this evaluation framework to assess and prevent racial inequities in this program. LA County’s pre-booking diversion program is part of a broader effort to reduce mass incarceration of Black and Brown youth i . In LA County and across the US, Black and Brown youth are arrested and detained by law enforcement at disproportionately greater rates compared to White youth. Organizing by local youth advocates and policy changes at the local, state, and national level have created opportunities for community-based pre-booking diversion in LA County to reduce the excessive and unfair criminalization and incarceration of Black and Brown youth and equitably improve outcomes for youth. Human Impact Partners developed this document by reviewing research and reports that describe and evaluate youth diversion programs and their outcomes, and by speaking with experts, youth, and youth caretakers in LA County. The promising practices lifted up in this report are drawn from traditional public health research evidence, and from the wisdom and experiences of stakeholders in LA County.
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Building a Positive Future for LA's Youth
Tags: California | Prevention | Reports | Research | Partner Publications
Arguing for funding for youth development including history of suppression in LA County, history of youth development in other regions, and LA's addiction to suppression and incarceration.
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Getting Paid
Tags: California | Prevention | Fines and Fees | Reports | Teleconference | Member Publications
Report for the Youth Justice Coalition's campaign that ended charging of juvenile system fees at the County levels and eventual passing of SB 190 ending fees and fines for youth statewide
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HIA Report from LA County Department of Public Health
Tags: California | Prevention | Reports | Teleconference | Member Publications
Published in collaboration with Youth Justice Coalition about youth on Free Metro Pass Campaign.
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Minority Report
Tags: California | Prevention | Teleconference | Member Publications
Report from Youth Justice Coalition on "Voluntary Probation" in LA County.
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Pre-Booking Youth Diversion Evaluation Metrics
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Prevention | Reports | Research | Partner Publications
Human Impact Partners (HIP) developed this resource to highlight metrics, indicators, and potential data sources detailed in the Advancing Racial Equity in Youth Diversion: An Evaluation Framework Informed by Los Angeles County. The HIP team partnered with the Los Angeles County Office of Youth Diversion and Development (YDD) to produce this evaluation framework.
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Pre-Diversion Webinar Slides Youth Justice Coalition_9/25/19
Tags: California | Prevention | Teleconference | Member Publications
Slides presented by Kim McGill, Youth Justice Coalition during the webinar: "Pre-Booking Diversion: Why It's Needed and How to Increase Racial Equity" recorded on 9/25/19. SUMMARY: On September 25, 2019, the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC), the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), and Human Impact Partners came together to discuss their work with the Office of Youth Diversion and Development to advance a pre-booking diversion initiative. The initiative aims to prevent youth youth arrests and referrals to probation, based on a public health and youth development framework.
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Pre-DiversionWebinarSlides Human Impact Partners_092519
Tags: California | Prevention | Teleconference | Partner Publications
Slides presented by Sukhdip Purewal Bopari of Human Impact Partners during the webinar: "Pre-Booking Diversion: Why It's Needed and How to Increase Racial Equity" recorded on 9/25/19. SUMMARY: On September 25, 2019, the Youth Justice Coalition (YJC), the Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), and Human Impact Partners came together to discuss their work with the Office of Youth Diversion and Development to advance a pre-booking diversion initiative. The initiative aims to prevent youth youth arrests and referrals to probation, based on a public health and youth development framework.
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Youth Diversion and Development Summit: Understanding Los Angeles County's New Model to Help Youth Thrive and Succeed
Tags: California | Prevention | Presentations | Reports | Teleconference
Report and recommendations focused on advancing a comprehensive and coordinated countywide approach to youth diversion in lieu of arrest
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Youth Diversion in Los Angeles County: Advancing Evidence-Informed Policy to Improve Youth Outcomes
Tags: California | Prevention | Teleconference | Partner Publications
The LA County Office of Youth Diversion and Development policy brief created through the youth-community-County collaboration.
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Youth and Families Create a More Just System in California
California advocates Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC), California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice (CAYCJ), Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) were hard at work this legislative session. Their organizing efforts paid off resulting in the passage of five major overalls to the state's juvenile justice system: changes to the felony murder rule; police transparency; raising the lower age of jurisdiction to 12; raising the age of transfer to adult court to 16; and making victim's compensation accessible to all victims of crime.
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Understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) Data for Stanislaus County, CA
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | General System Reform | Girls | LGBTQ Youth | Advocacy | Reports | Research | Partner Publications | Fact Sheets and Briefs
This study by Dr. Angela Irvine at Ceres Policy Research examines the need to continue to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in the juvenile justice system, while also considering the way that race intersects with sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression (SOGIE) among system-involved youth. This report also highlights the efforts of Stanislaus County, CA to achieve both of these goals.
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Youth Transfer: The Importance of Individualized Factor Review
Tags: Federal | California | Nebraska | New Jersey | Youth in the Adult System | Partner Publications
This publication states facts, reviews and analysis of negative impact as a result of youth incarceration in terms of youth safety and public safety with examples of prosecutorial factors in Nebraska, New Jersey and California. The publication ends with policy recommendations.
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Charging Youth As Adults Is Ineffective, Bias-Fraught & Harmful
Tags: California | Brain and Adolescent Development | Collateral Consequences | Crime Data and Statistics | Detention | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | General System Reform | Juvenile Defense and Court Process | Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Positive Youth Development and Strengths-Based Programming | Risk Assessment and Screening | Youth in the Adult System | Victims | Evidence-Based Practices | Legislation | Reports | Research
Prop. 57 passed this past November, one section took away from prosecutors the power to cause a young person to be tried as an adult out, and gave the power back to judges. The report includes disproportionality of race and geography in adult sentencing.
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Juvenile InJustice: Charging Youth as Adults is Ineffective, Biased, and Harmful
Tags: California | Brain and Adolescent Development | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Positive Youth Development and Strengths-Based Programming | Youth in the Adult System | Restorative Justice | Evidence-Based Practices | Reports | Research | Member Publications
A collaboration of formerly incarcerated youth and their families. Shows the harmful effects and provides recommendations for restorative justice-oriented solutions to improve health outcomes.
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Youth Justice Reform Roundup | January 2017
A roundup of publications news stories, and resources related to youth justice reform.
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California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice---Three Years of Legislative Victories: 2014 - 2016
Tags: California | Collateral Consequences | Community-Based Alternatives and Supervision | Confidentiality | Crime Data and Statistics | Detention | General System Reform | Girls | Institutional Conditions | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Member Publications
Capsule summary of youth justice reform legislation NJJN member CAYCJ worked to pass 2014-2016.
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California Advocates Help Pass a Rush of Reform Bills
California advocates were instrumental in passing four juvenile justice bills in 2016, reforming the state's treatment of youth in the justice system in solitary confinement, confidentiality, gang databases, and data collection.
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Youth Justice Reform Roundup | October 2016
A roundup of member-related publications and news stories; school-to-prison pipeline items; resources, and campaign materials for California's Prop. 57.
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The Prosecution of Youth as Adults in California: A 2015 Update
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Youth in the Adult System | Reports | Fact Sheets and Briefs
A report updates trends in California's use of "direct file", wherein a prosecutor has the ultimate power to file charges against youth as young as 14 years old directly in adult criminal court. Direct filing disproportionately impacts youth of color.
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The Right to Remain a Student: How California School Policies Fail to Protect and Serve
Tags: Federal | California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Reports | Fact Sheets and Briefs
A report explaining how increased student-police interactions in California schools has funneled thousands of students into the school-to-prison pipeline.
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The Path From School Suspensions to Youth Incarceration in California
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Reports | Research
A report discussing how suspensions dramatically increased the chance that youth will be detained or incarcerated in California. Data also shows how youth of color are more likely to become incarcerated than their counterparts.
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The Prosecution of Youth as Adults: A County-Level Analysis of Prosecutorial Direct File in California and Its Disparate Impact on Youth of Color, Burns Institute
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Youth in the Adult System | Reports | Partner Publications
Joint report examining the prosecution of youth as adults in California finds: Prosecutors are increasingly using direct file despite plummeting youth crime; racial and ethnic disparities have grown; county-level disparities have led to an inequitable system of "justice-by-geography."
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Report on the Evaluation of Judicially Led Responses to Eliminate School Pathways to the Juvenile Justice System
Tags: California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida | Georgia | Indiana | Kentucky | Massachusetts | Maryland | Michigan | North Carolina | New Mexico | Tennessee | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Reports | Research
Report on judicially-led collaboratives to reduce stringent school discipline and referrals of youth to juvenile courts for school-based behaviors. Discusses findings and some lessons learned. (Copyright 2015, released in June 2016.)
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Colorado, Los Angeles Set Serious Restrictions on Solitary Confinement of Youth
Recent legislative advances in Colorado and Los Angeles County will implement severe restrictions to the use of solitary confinement on young people.
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Victims of Crime Act and the Need for Advocacy
Tags: California | Victims | Web-Based Tools
Too often, crime survivors, especially repeat victims of crime, lack access to basic supports to address trauma and get help with recovery. There is a new opportunity to increase funding for programs that serve the people and communities most harmed by violence and crime and least helped. Californians for Safety and Justice put together this toolkit to help crime survivors and advocates learn about this new opportunity and organize to access funding.
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CA - Fact Sheet - AB 1843 (Stone) - Employment Protections
Tags: California | Confidentiality | Fact Sheets and Briefs
Summary of AB 1843of 2016, shielding juvenile records from employer background checks.
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | March 2016
Career opportunities in the field of youth justice reform - March 2016.
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E-Newsletter: D.C. Bill Would Use Health Framework for Prevention of Violence | February 24,2016
News and resources in the field of youth justice reform, February 24, 2016.
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CA Ballot Initiative Would Completely Eliminate Prosecutorial Transfer to Adult Court
A historic initiative will appear on California’s ballot this November – which, if passed, would eliminate the ability of prosecutors to unilaterally transfer a young person from the juvenile to the adult court system, known as “direct file.” The ballot initiative was the result of collaboration between a number of California youth justice advocacy groups, led in part by the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice (CAYCJ), an NJJN member.
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When We Lock Kids Up, What Exactly are We Sentencing Them to?
NJJN's director pens a passionate op-ed detailing recent tragedies of kids abused or who died in secure custody and argues for a radical change to our approach for youth in trouble with the law.
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | January 2016
Career opportunities in the field of youth justice reform: January 2016.
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Youth Justice Reform Roundup | December 18, 2015
News, events, and resources in the field of youth justice reform.
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Black, Brown, and Over-Policed in L.A. Schools
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Reports | Research
Structural Proposals to End the School-to-Prison Pipeline in the Los Angeles Unified School District and to Build a National Movement to Stop the Mass Incarceration of Black and Latino Communities.
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Los Angeles County Can Better Invest in Families and Communities with Flexible Federal Funds
Tags: California | General System Reform | Member Publications
Research has clearly shown that removing LA County youth from their families and placing them in a foster care or group home setting as a solution to their developmental challenges is ineffective and imposes significant fiscal costs to the county. The educational, emotional and social costs to our youth and their families are even greater. By creating financial incentives to reduce the number of youth placed in out-of-home placement facilities by probation or child welfare in LA County, the Title IV-E Waiver program presents a tremendous opportunity for LA County to invest significantly in improving relationships between youth and their families, and their communities.
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Meet the Fellows: Carlos Cruz
We spoke with Youth Justice Leadership Institute fellow Carlos Cruz about his drive to reform the youth justice system and his experience in the Institute.
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A Moral Obligation to Meet the Promise of Fairness and Justice for Our Children
Every year, we send thousands youth in trouble with the law into the adult criminal system -- which is ineffective and harmful to youth. Reversing these policies isn't easy, but progress is being made.
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Meet the Fellows: Rene Casas
Recently, we spoke with Rene Casas, Program Coordinator and Strategy Analyst at Motivating Individual Leadership for Public Advancement (MILPA). Rene is a fellow in NJJN's Youth Justice Leadership Institute, a year-long program that aims to create a more effective foundation for the juvenile justice reform movement by developing a strong base of well-trained and well-prepared advocates and organizers who reflect the communities most affected by juvenile justice system practices and policies.
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | November 2015
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Youth Justice Reform Roundup | October 2015
News, events, and resources in the field of youth justice reform, October 2015.
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School Discipline - Student Code of Conduct Tips and Examples - Advancement Project
Tags: California | Colorado | Maryland | Pennsylvania | National | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Partner Publications
Model conduct codes and tips from the Advancement Project for schools and advocates seeking to reform their school disciplinary policies to eliminate exclusionary discipline and address racial disparities. Examples from five states.
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Youth Justice Reform Roundup | September 2015
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California Strengthens Confidentiality Protections for Immigrant Youth
Tags: California | Confidentiality | Immigration | Legislation
Assembly Bill 899 clarifies that it is unlawful for local and state entities to share confidential information from juvenile court proceedings with federal officials without a court order upon the filing of a petition. The bill also expands the definition of “juvenile information” to include not only the case file, but also information related to the youth, including name, date or place of birth, and immigration status. The stated intent of the law is to ensure that court records from the juvenile justice system remain confidential regardless of the youth’s immigration status. The legislature also reiterated its intent to protect the confidentiality of information connected to juvenile justice court proceedings that are maintained by any government agency, including law enforcement. Assembly Bill 899 was authored by Assembly Member Marc Levine and signed into law on September 4, 2015.
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | August 2015
Job opportunities in the field of youth justice reform.
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | July, 2015
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | May 2015
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Meet the New Members: Califoria Alliance for Youth and Community Justice
An introduction to one of NJJN's newer members, the California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice.
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E-newsletter: Meet Our New Member, and Maheen Kaleem
Download NJJN's February 11, 2015 e-newsletter.
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Meet the Fellows: Maheen Kaleem
NJJN interviews Maheen Kaleem, a fellow in the Youth Justice Leadership Institute who works to train juvenile defenders in how to communicate with and adequately defend girls in the system.
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Latino Voices: The Impact of Crime and Criminal Justice Policies on Latinos
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Reports
This report documents the impact of both crime and criminal justice policy on Latino people, noting that while Latinos comprise a similar portion of the population as whites in California, they are vastly overrepresented in the justice system--both as victims of crime and as those prosecuted for it.
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Meet the Fellows: Anthony DiMartino
Our interview with Youth Justice Leadership Institute Fellow Anthony DiMartino, an administrative analyst in the Development Services Department for the City of Long Beach.
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Youth Justice Job Announcements | November, 2014
Job postings in the field of youth justice reform for the month of November.
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Treat Kids as Kids
Tags: California | Deinstitutionalization | Youth in the Adult System | Reports | Member Publications
The California Alliance for Youth and Community Justice penned this report highlighting the risks and dangers of trying, confining, or incarcerating young people in adult courts and prisons. The article offers concrete policy recommendations to ultimately end these practices in California.
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California Ensures Reenrollment Rights for Youth Returning from Juvenile Justice Facilities
Tags: California | Aftercare/Reentry | Community-Based Alternatives and Supervision | Legislation
Assembly Bill 2276 requires a pupil who has had contact with the juvenile justice system to be immediately enrolled in a public school. The legislation also has several mechanisms to facilitate the successful transition of these youth into the public schools. It requires the county office of education and county probation department to develop joint transition planning policies on issues such as improving communication regarding the release dates and educational needs of juvenile justice involved youth, coordinating the immediate school placement and enrollment of these youth, and ensuring probation officers have the information that they need to support the youths’ return to public school. Additionally, subject to funding, it requires the convening of a statewide group to study successful county programs and develop model policies relating to the prompt transfer of education records and credits and the immediate enrollment of students transferred from juvenile justice schools. Assembly Bill 2276 was authored by Assembly Member Raul Bocanegra and signed into law on September 30, 2014.
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California Passes Law to Reduce Foster Care Youths’ Referral and Detention in the Juvenile Justice System
Tags: California | Crossover and Dual Jurisdiction Youth | Legislation
Assembly Bill 388 sets up a number of new policies, reporting, and monitoring procedures to reduce the inappropriate referral and detention of foster youth from group homes and other placements into the juvenile justice system for minor incidents and typical adolescent behavior. A.B. 388 requires group homes, transitional housing, community treatment facilities or runaway and homeless youth shelters to report any incident involving law enforcement. It also requires the Community Care Licensing Division of the Department of Social Services (CDSS) to inspect facilities with greater than average law enforcement contacts, to develop performance standards and outcome measures requiring facilities for foster youth to implement programs, services, and protocols to minimize law enforcement contacts, and to publish annual reports on group home law enforcement contacts, complaints, and licensing suspensions. The new legislation limits secure detention of foster youth through a number of mechanisms including prohibiting courts from detaining youth in secure confinement based on the youth’s status as a foster youth or on the child welfare system’s inability to provide a placement for the youth. Assembly Bill 388 was authored by Assembly Member Chesbro and co-sponsored by The Youth Law Center, California Youth Connection, Children’s Advocacy Institute, and Public Counsel. A.B. 388 was signed into law on September 29, 2014.
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California Protects Youth from Unreasonable Delays in Moving Out of Post-Dispositional Detention
Tags: California | Crossover and Dual Jurisdiction Youth | Juvenile Defense and Court Process | Legislation
Assembly Bill 2607 addresses the issue of youth who are currently held in secure detention for long periods of time following disposition while they await an appropriate placement. Many of these youth are foster youth who are detained in part because they do not have a home to which they can return. The legislation adds new criteria for determining whether the delay is unreasonable which include delays attributable to the probation officer’s failure to make reasonable efforts to identify an appropriate and available placement. If the court finds the delay to be unreasonable, it must order the probation officer to assess the availability of suitable temporary placements and can place the youth in a nonsecure placement or alternative to detention after consultation with all parties. Assembly Bill 2607 was authored by Assembly Member Nancy Skinner and was signed into law on September 26, 2014.
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California Requires Incarcerated Individuals under the Age of 22 be Considered for a Lower Security Level Placement
Tags: California | Institutional Conditions | Youth in the Adult System | Legislation
Assembly Bill 1276 requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to conduct individual assessments of every person under the age of 22 who is entering state prisons and to consider placing these youth at a lower security level than corresponds with their classification level and in a facility that permits increased access to rehabilitation programs. Previously, youth under the age of 22 were routinely sent to the highest security prison yards, known as “level IV” yards. The legislation also allows youth who did not qualify for a lower security level to have their placement reconsidered at their annual review until the age of 25. Assembly Bill 1276 was authored by Assembly Member Richard Bloom, with principal co-author Senator Hancock, sponsored by Human Rights Watch and co-sponsored by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and the Anti-Recidivism Coalition. A.B. 1276 was signed into law on September 26, 2014.
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Youth Justice Reform Roundup | September 25, 2014
The latest news from the world of youth justice reform!
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Don't Shoot to Kill - Infographic (Deaths Resulting from Law Enforcement Use of Force in LA County)
Tags: California | General System Reform | Member Publications
This infographic visually depicts data compiled by the Youth Justice Coalition regarding deaths resulting from law enforcement use of force in LA County from 2010-2014.
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Don't Shoot to Kill: Homicides Resulting from Law Enforcement Use of Force within LA County 2010-2014
Tags: California | General System Reform | Reports | Member Publications
This report documents the deaths of 589 people who lived in Los Angeles County and were killed by law enforcement between January 1, 2000 and August 31, 2014.1 In addition, the report documents all cases – with name, age, race, location and where possible incident details – from January 1, 2007 – August 31, 2014 in order to remember each individual; to investigate who is impacted by race, age, gender and community (location of the shooting); and to learn from their experiences in an attempt to save lives in the future.
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LA County Law Enforcement Use of Force Resulting in the Death of Community Members January 2007- August 2014
Tags: California | General System Reform | Reports | Member Publications
This chart details the name, age, sex, race, and other biographical details of all community members whose deaths resulted from police use of force in LA County from January 2007- August 2014.
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California Provides Automatic Dismissal of Juvenile Petitions and Sealing of Records
Tags: California | Confidentiality | Legislation
Senate Bill 1038 requires the Juvenile Court to seal the record and dismiss the charges of youth who have successfully completed probation or diversion in all cases other than those categorized by law as “serious and violent crimes” for which minors may be “direct-filed” in adult criminal court. The legislation allows the court to dismiss charges and seal the records for individuals beyond the age of 21 “in the interests of justice.” The bill permits prosecutors and probation officers to access sealed records only for the limited purpose of determining eligibility for a “deferred entry of judgment” and allows the court to access a sealed file only in order to determine the eligibility of youth who have petitioned the court for continued foster care services.. Senate Bill 1038 was authored by Senator Mark Leno and signed into law on August 22, 2014.
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California Bans Incarceration of Truant Youth
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Status Offenses | Legislation
Senate Bill 1296 prohibits a court from securely detaining or otherwise taking into custody youth who were adjudicated truant and failed to comply with a valid court order to attend school. The legislation authorizes a court to issue any other lawful order, as necessary, to secure the youth’s attendance at school. Although past laws specifically prohibited incarceration of adjudicated truants, court decisions had created a loophole. The decisions held that when a youth had been ordered to attend school and still failed to do so, the court was then permitted to incarcerate that youth for violating court orders. This legislation closed that loophole and decriminalized truancy. Senate Bill 1296 was authored by Senator Mark Leno and signed into law on June 28, 2014.
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California Crime Victims' Voices Findings from the First-Ever Survey of California Crime Victims and Survivors
Tags: California | Victims | Research
This survey on California victims and survivors of crime reveals the longlasting psychological impact of crime, how often a crime goes reported/unreported, and that victims and survivors are not always receiving the most effective services to help deal with their trauma. This research sheds light on why improvements in the criminal justice system in California need to be made, and focus should be concentrated across several areas in order to do so.
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Untold Stories of California Crime Victims: Research and Recommendations on Repeat Victimization and Rebuilding Lives
Tags: California | Victims | Research
A growing body of research indicates that the strongest predictor of many forms of victimization is having previously been a victim of crime. As we strive to find ways to improve public safety, it is imperative that we also put the experience of this vulnerable population at the center of our inquiry.
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California Crime Victims' Voices: Findings from the First-Ever Survey of California Crime Victims and Survivors
Tags: California | Victims | Reports | Research
This report describes the findings of a large-scale survey of California crime victims and points to opportunities for further research and reforms to improve victim recovery.
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E-Newsletter: Michigan Threatens Ban on Juvenile Life Without Parole | February 11, 2014
E-newsletter for the week of February 11, 2014.
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The Comeback and Coming-from-Behind States: An Update on Youth Incarceration in the United States
Tags: California | Connecticut | Illinois | Missouri | Mississippi | Nebraska | New York | Ohio | South Dakota | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin | Wyoming | National | Deinstitutionalization | NJJN Publications
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Black, Brown, and Over-Policed in L.A. Schools
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Reports
Structural proposals to end the school-to-prison pipeline in the Los Angeles Unified School District and to build a national movement to stop the mass incarceration of Black and Latino communities. This report comes from The Strategy Center.
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Meet the Youth Justice Leadership Institute Fellows: Alicia Virani
Interview with Youth Justice Leadership Institute fellow Alicia Virani, on why she works in youth justice reform, building a coalition around restorative justice, and envisioning a new kind of system to promote justice for youth.
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Law Requires Electronic Recording of Custodial Interrogations of Youth Accused of Murder
Tags: California | Juvenile Defense and Court Process | Legislation
Citing the dangers and injustice of false confessions, California passed a law requiring the electronic recording of the entire custodial interrogation of a youth under age 18 who is suspected of committing a murder. The law includes various exceptions, including "exigent circumstances" and a reasonable belief on the part of law enforcement that electronic recording would disclose the identity of a confidential informant or jeopardize the safety of an officer, the youth being interrogated, or another individual. If an exception is invoked, the prosecution must show by clear and convincing evidence that the exception is justified. If the interrogation is not recorded, the court must provide the jury with specific instructions to view with caution the statements made by the youth during the interrogation. S.B. 569/Act No. 799, signed into law October 13, 2013
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Police Required to Notify Youth and Families of Inclusion in Gang Database
Tags: California | Gangs | Legislation
California law enforcement officers must now provide written notice to youth and their parent(s) or guardian(s) prior to including youth in a gang database, unless such notice would compromise an active criminal investigation or compromise the health or safety of the youth. The notice must include the basis for the designation. Previously, youth and families received no such notice. The new law also provides youth and families with the right to contest inclusion in the database. S.B. 458/Act No. 797, signed into law October 13, 2013; effective January 1, 2014.
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E-Newsletter: CA Bill Limits Police Role in Schools | October 9, 2013
NJJN's e-newsletter from October 9, 2013.
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E-Newsletter: Massachusetts Raises the Age | September 25, 2013
NJJN's e-newsletter for the week for September 25, 2013.
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California Requires Meaningful Opportunity for Release on Parole
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Legislation
Citing the holdings and reasoning from Miller v. Alabama, Graham v. Florida, and People v. Caballero, California passed legislation to increase parole opportunities for individuals sentenced to long terms for serious crimes committed when they were youth. Prior law allowed individuals to submit a petition for recall and resentencing after serving 15 years. Now, people are automatically eligible for a "meaningful opportunity" for release on parole during the 15th year of incarceration if they received a determinate sentence, during the 20th year if they received a sentence less than 25 years to life sentence, and during the 25th year if they received a 25 years to life sentence. The law requires the parole board to give "great weight to the diminished culpability of juveniles as compared to adults, the hallmark features of youth, and any subsequent growth and increased maturity." The law also allows statements from family members, friends, school personnel, faith leaders, and representatives from community-based organizations who knew the individual prior to the crime or who can comment on the individual's growth and maturity since the commission of the crime. The law does not apply to individuals sentenced for "three strikes" offenses or individuals sentenced to life without parole. S.B. 260/Act No. 312, signed into law September 16, 2013; effective January 1, 2014.
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Probation Must Provide Youth with Information on Process for Sealing and Destruction of Court Records
Tags: California | Confidentiality | Legislation
California allows youth to petition for sealing and destruction of their court records under certain circumstances and by following specific guidelines. A new law requires the probation department to provide youth with information regarding their eligibility for sealing and destruction of court records and the procedures for requesting such sealing and destruction. All informational materials and forms must be developed by January 1, 2015. A.B. 1006/Act No. 269, signed into law September 9, 2013; effective January 1, 2014.
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The Comeback States: Reducing Juvenile Incarceration in the United States - NJJN, TPPF
Tags: California | Connecticut | Illinois | Mississippi | New York | Ohio | Texas | Washington | Wisconsin | National | Deinstitutionalization | NJJN Publications
Nine "comeback states" are featured for their dramatic reversal of youth incarceration rates in the past decade and for adopting policies that will promote further reductions.
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Protocol for Competence in California Juvenile Justice Proceedings
Tags: California | Juvenile Defense and Court Process | Reports | Research
This tool suggests approaches for developing juvenile competence proceedings in cases where competency may be an issue and there are no specific existing provisions.
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Juvenile Justice Reform Roundup | May 30, 2013
Browse updates in juvenile justice advocacy from the past two weeks, including: Los Angeles bans suspensions for "willful defiance," new statistics on juveniles in the criminal justice system, BJA's solicitation for new PREA programs, and a brief from the Vera Institute on Ohio's Families as Partners Project.
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Los Angeles Bans Suspensions for Willful Defiance
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Legislation
The Los Angeles Unified School District voted to ban suspensions for willful defiance, passing a School Climate Bill of Rights with a five-to-two vote. Prior to the ban, students who failed to comply with any policy or instruction given by teachers or school administrators—including wearing baggy pants or talking back—were automatically suspended due to zero-tolerance policies. The ban stemmed from concerns that the existing policy was excessively harsh and disproportionately affected students of color, and from the acknowledgment that removing students from school can lead directly to involvement in the juvenile justice system. The ban provided momentum for a pending bill that would institute a statewide ban on suspensions for willful defiance (A.B. 420). The School Climate Bill of Rights also requires schools to exhaust all alternatives to suspension prior to suspending a student; develop and implement restorative justice practices; provide students and parents with data on suspensions, expulsions and arrests; use school-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports; limit involvement of school police in non-threatening school discipline actions; and provide notice to parents and students of their right to appeal a suspension. Passed May 14, 2013.
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Statement by Youth of Color on School Safety and Gun Violence in America; Youth Justice Coalition
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Member Publications
Youth of color make recommendations on school safety and gun violence.
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SB 9 Passes in California
The Youth Justice Coalition, an NJJN member, celebrated an enormous victory on Sept. 30, when Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 9 into law, ending juvenile life without parole.
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California Allows Resentencing for Certain Youth in Prison
Tags: California | Juvenile Defense and Court Process | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Legislation
Legislature passed a law that allows individuals sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed as youth to petition for resentencing after they have served 15 years. At that time, judges have the discretion to change a sentence from life without parole to 25 years to life. The law requires judges to review eight factors related to the petitioner's criminal and developmental history and the petitioner must submit a statement addressing his or her remorse and work towards rehabilitation. If the sentence is not changed on the first attempt, individuals may reapply for resentencing after having served 20 and 24 years. The law is retroactive. S.B. 9/Act No. 828, signed into law September 30, 2012; effective January 1, 2014.
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California Commits Majority of Gang Prevention and Youth Violence Funding to Evidence-Based Programs
Tags: California | Gangs | Evidence-Based Practices | Legislation
The California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) is now required to ensure that within three years, no less than 70 percent of funding for gang and youth violence suppression, intervention, and prevention programs is put toward programs that utilize “promising and proven evidence-based practices and principles.” The BSCC is also to work with local governments to help develop regional partnerships in order to serve a broader population and maximize the impact of state funds. A.B. 526/Act No. 850, signed into law September 30, 2012.
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California Fair Sentencing for Youth Act - SB 9
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Legislation
California SB 9 allows youth sentenced to die in prison the chance to petition for reconsideration of the sentences after they have served 15 years; at that point, judges will have the option to change a sentence from life without parole to 25 years to life.
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California Expands Tattoo Removal Program for Youth
Tags: California | Legislation
California expanded eligibility for a Division of Juvenile Justice voluntary tattoo removal program for youth ages 14 to 24. Previously, the program was only available to youth with gang-related tattoos. The new law expands eligibility to include individuals with tattoos used for identification in trafficking and prostitution. A.B. 1956/Act No. 746, signed into law September 29; effective January 1, 2013.
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Law Curbs Use of Restraints on Women in Labor in Prison
Tags: California | Girls | Shackling | Legislation
The California legislature amended the penal code to prohibit restraint by the use of leg irons, waist chains, or handcuffs behind the body of a woman who is incarcerated and is pregnant, is in labor, in recovery, or has recently given birth. Such restraint may only be used when deemed necessary for the safety and security of the woman, staff, or the public. The law also requires that women who are incarcerated be advised of these standards orally or in writing. A.B. 2530/Act No. 726, signed into law September 28, 2012.
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California Encourages Use of Alternative Means of Discipline in Order to Reduce Suspensions and Expulsions
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Legislation
A new California law expands the authority of school administrators to use alternative means of discipline before suspending or expelling students, including students with disabilities. Stating an intention to reduce the overuse of suspension and expulsion, particularly of students of color, students with disabilities, LGBT youth, and other vulnerable populations, the law authorizes administrators to use alternatives that “are age-appropriate and designed to address and correct the student’s misbehavior.” Such alternatives include conferences with parents; referrals to a psychologist; enrollment in a restorative justice, anger management, or prosocial behavior program; referral for a comprehensive psychosocial or psychoeducational assessment; positive behavioral supports with tiered interventions during the school day; and after-school programs that address behavioral problems and/or expose students to positive activities. A.B. 1729/Act No. 425, signed into law September 21, 2012; effective January 1, 2013.
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California Limits Mandatory Expulsion
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Legislation
A new California law changes the listed offenses for which a youth must be recommended for expulsion from school. Possession of over-the-counter or medication prescribed for the student is now exempt from provisions requiring automatic expulsion for possession of a controlled substance. Additionally, possession of an imitation firearm is no longer an automatic suspension or expulsion offense. The law also authorizes a principal or superintendent to not recommend expulsion for listed offenses if he or she determines that an alternative means of correction would address the conduct. A.B. 2537/Act No. 431, signed into law September 21, 2012; effective January 1, 2013.
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California Schools Prohibited from Denying Entry to Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Legislation
California amended its education code to prohibit a public school from denying enrollment or readmission to a student solely based upon contact with the juvenile justice system including, but not limited to: arrest, adjudication by juvenile court, formal or informal supervision by a probation officer, or detention for any length of time in a juvenile facility or enrollment in a juvenile court school. S.B. 1088/Act No. 381, signed into law September 19, 2012; effective January 1, 2013.
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California Limits Sex Offender Registration
Tags: California | Sex Offender Registries | Legislation
California modified existing law to remove specified offenses requiring registration as a sex offender from those provisions that allow the court, in certain circumstances, to retain jurisdiction over an individual until that person reaches his or her mid-20s (jurisdiction normally ends at age 21). The change applies retroactively. A.B. 1481/Act No. 342, signed into law and effective September 17, 2012.
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New Report: Families are the Key to Juvenile Justice Reform
A new report proposes solutions for transforming youth justice to help our youth succeed and keep our communities safe through family involvement.
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Law Provides for Expungement of Juvenile Prostitution Convictions
Tags: California | Confidentiality | Legislation
California law provides that a person who has reached 18 years of age may petition the court to seal all records relating to his or her case in juvenile court if he or she has not subsequently been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, and if the person has been rehabilitated to the court’s satisfaction. The California State Legislature amended the law to include a person who was adjudicated for prostitution. Such individuals may now petition to have these records sealed without having to show they have not been subsequently convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, or that rehabilitation has been attained. Individuals who paid money, or attempted to pay money for prostitution are excluded from the relief provided by the law. A.B. 2040/Act No. 197, signed into law August 27, 2012; effective January 1, 2013.
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California Supreme Court Strikes Down Life without Parole Sentences for Youth Convicted of Non-Homicide Offenses
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Court Decisions and Related Documents
The California Supreme Court ruled that youth convicted of non-homicide crimes may not be issued lengthy sentences that are effectively de facto sentences of life without the possibility of parole. This ruling followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Graham v. Florida, which held that the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment prohibits sentencing youth who are convicted for non-homicide offense to life without the possibility of parole. The California case centered around a 110-year-to-life sentence given to an 18-year-old for crimes he committed at age 16. The California Supreme Court wrote that “the state may not deprive [youth] at sentencing of a meaningful opportunity to demonstrate their rehabilitation and fitness to reenter society in the future.” The People of the State of California v. Rodrigo Caballero, 55 Cal.4th 262, 282 P.3d 291, 145 Cal.Rptr.3d 286 (2012).
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CA Governor Brown Backs Off Plan to Shut Down State Prisons for Youth
California governor Jerry Brown has dropped his plan to gradually close all state youth prisons run by the California Department of Juvenile Justice and transfer responsibility for the youth to local jurisdictions. Juvenile justice reform advocates are split on the proposal.
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Los Angeles Reforms Truancy Law
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Status Offenses | Administrative/Regulatory Policies
The Los Angeles City Council amended the county’s truancy law, which allowed Los Angeles police to issue tens of thousands of “truancy tickets” to L.A. schoolchildren, even when they were on their way to class. Such tickets carried heavy fines and unnecessarily criminalized youth. Police may no longer issue tickets to students who are on their way or running late to class. Sanctions for the first and second offense are limited to counseling, development of an attendance plan, and/or community service, and third and subsequent offenses may result in a fine not exceeding $20 for any individual youth. The change follows recommendations made by the Los Angeles County Education Coordinating Council and policy changes adopted by the Los Angeles Police Department. Ordinance No. 182084, April 13, 2012.
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Transfer of Juveniles to Criminal Court is Not Correlated with Falling Youth Violence
Tags: Arizona | California | Florida | Ohio | Oregon | Washington | Youth in the Adult System | Reports
Jeffrey Butts of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice points out that the increase in juvenile transfers to adult court is not correlated with the fall in youth violence seen over the past six years.
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E-Newsletter: New York and California Governors Move to Close Youth Prisons
The governors of New York and California move to close their states' youth prisons; update on the Adam Walsh Act; the Pew Center expands into juvenile justice; and a juvenile justice resource roundup -- all this and more in NJJN's latest e-newsletter.
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New York and California Governors Propose Local Control over Youth in Secure Facilities
Within one week of each other, California Governor Jerry Brown and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed that local jurisdictions take control over youth sent to state-run youth prisons.
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Juvenile Justice Realignment in 2012
Tags: California | Deinstitutionalization | Fiscal Issues and Funding | Reports
This report outlines five core recommendations that support Governor Brown's juvenile justice realignment proposal.
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Non-Judicial Drivers into the Juvenile Justice System for Youth of Color
Tags: California | Racial and Ethnic Disparities | Reports
An analysis by the W. Haywood Burns Institute on youth in the juvenile justice system in California indicates that lack of access to medical care and behavioral health care are key drivers for why low-risk youth of color land in the juvenile justice system in such high numbers.
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Unaddressed Trauma and Health Needs Drive Youth of Color into the Juvenile Justice System
A new analysis by the W. Haywood Burns Institute on youth in the juvenile justice system in California indicates that lack of access to medical care and behavioral health care are key drivers for why low-risk youth of color land in the juvenile justice system in such high numbers.
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Bringing Youth Home: A National Movement to Increase Public Safety, Rehabilitate Youth and Save Money, National Juvenile Justice Network
Tags: Alabama | California | District of Columbia | Florida | Kansas | New York | Ohio | Texas | Community-Based Alternatives and Supervision | Crime Data and Statistics | Deinstitutionalization | Fiscal Issues and Funding | Reports | NJJN Publications
Report highlighting positive news stemming from and of interest to budget conscious and public safety-minded states. The publication includes examples of states that reduced their juvenile facility populations and are now not only reaping the rewards of newfound funds that can be directed into more effective community-based services for youth, but are also seeing a better return on their investment in terms of juvenile rehabilitation and public safety.
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Building Lasting Peace in Bell Gardens: The "War on Gangs" Is a War on Youth and Communities!, Youth Justice Coalition
Tags: California | Gangs | Reports
Flyer discussing how the "war on gangs" should be reformed in Los Angeles. Namely, efforts should focus on: (1) human rights and equal justice for all; (2) jobs not jail; (3) humane conditions in lock-up; (4) just immigration policy; and (5) supporting the ongoing gang truces.
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Campaign Research: Gang Injunctions and Gang Database, Youth Justice Coalition
Tags: California | Gangs | Reports
Short brief describing law enforcement definitions and the goals of the California's anti-gang laws.
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Los Angeles Department of Homeland Security, 1980-2005: Coordinating Local, State and Federal Laws and Law Enforcement Tactics to Intensify the War on Gangs Youth Justice Coalition
Tags: California | Gangs | Reports
Chart describing the state and local gang laws, law enforcement tactics with respect to these laws and Youth Justice Coalition's stance on these laws.
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California Corrections Standards Authority Must Inspect Facilities Where Juveniles Are Held for More than 24 Hours, S.B. 1447
Tags: California | Detention | Institutional Conditions | Legislation
California law requires the Corrections Standards Authority to inspect and collect relevant data from any facility that may be used for the secure detention of minors.
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California Foster Youth Aging Out of Juvenile Court’s Jurisdiction Gain Notice of Services, S.B. 945
Tags: California | Crossover and Dual Jurisdiction Youth | Legislation
The legislation recognizes that one of the major barriers foster youth face is their lack of knowledge that assistance programs exist for foster youth; and when they are aware of them, they often have difficulty documenting that they are eligible for such programs. As a result, the law requires probation or parole officers to provide foster youth with a written notice stating that they are foster youth and that they may be eligible for services and benefits available to former foster children through public and private programs, including, but not limited to, any independent living program for youth who have been in the foster care system.
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Juveniles with Questionable Mental Competency Receive Right to Hearing, A.B. 2212
Tags: California | Juvenile Defense and Court Process | Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Legislation
California law now requires the court to suspend proceedings if doubt is expressed as to a youth's sufficient present ability to rationally and factually understand the nature of the proceedings or assist his or her attorney in mounting a defense. The court must then order a hearing to determine the youth's competency.
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Youth Justice Coalition Statement on Extreme Sentencing
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Reports
Statement calling for an end to extreme sentences in California that send youth to prison until they die and rob them of any chance of rehabilitation.
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California Acknowledges Rights of Youth and Importance of Treatment, S.C.R. 40
Tags: California | Institutional Conditions | Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Legislation
A Senate concurrent resolution in California acknowledges the role that substance abuse often plays in the lives of young offenders and sets forth the rights of all youth in the juvenile justice system. The resolution asserts rights to rehabilitation, treatment, education, family and social services, least restrictive alternatives, reintegration, nondiscrimination, safety and security, counsel, protection from self-incrimination, evidence-based practice, and speedy review. The resolution urges each facility in the state that houses youth or is responsible for the oversight of youth to adopt these rights into the regulations and common practices of the facility.
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An Advocate's Guide to Meaningful Family Partnerships: Tips from the Field, NJJN
Tags: California | Louisiana | Family and Youth Involvement | Reports | NJJN Publications
Offers strategies for forming and sustaining meaningful partnerships with family members. Case examples from California and Louisiana.
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Santa Clara County, California Limits Detention of Young Children, May 11, 2010
Tags: California | Community-Based Alternatives and Supervision | Deinstitutionalization | Legislation
On May 11, 2010, the Board of Supervisors in Santa Clara County, California unanimously approved a new policy discouraging the detention of children under the age of 13. The Board hopes that the policy will encourage judges to send children to alternative settings, such as home-based supervision, intensive foster care, and community-based treatment centers.
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Santa Clara County, California Probation Report on Detention of Young Children, May 11, 2010
Tags: California | Community-Based Alternatives and Supervision | Deinstitutionalization | Detention | Reports
On May 11, 2010, the Board of Supervisors in Santa Clara County, California unanimously approved a new policy discouraging the detention of children under the age of 13. The Board hopes that the policy will encourage judges to send children to alternative settings, such as home-based supervision, intensive foster care, and community-based treatment centers.
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Promising Practices from the Healthy Returns Initiative: Building Connections to Health, Mental Health, and Family Support Services in Juvenile Justice, The California Endowment
Tags: California | Mental Health and Substance Abuse | Reports
Report highlighting the results of a four year initiative by the Endowment to strengthen the capacity of county juvenile justice systems to provide mental health and other needed services for youth while in custody and in the community.
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Santa Clara County, California Juvenile Justice Commission Report on Detention of Young Children, April 8, 2010
Tags: California | Community-Based Alternatives and Supervision | Deinstitutionalization | Detention | Reports
On May 11, 2010, the Board of Supervisors in Santa Clara County, California unanimously approved a new policy discouraging the detention of children under the age of 13. The Board hopes that the policy will encourage judges to send children to alternative settings, such as home-based supervision, intensive foster care, and community-based treatment centers.
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San Francisco Board of Supervisors Overrides Mayor's Veto on Immigrant Juvenile Justice Policy, Ordinance 228-09
Tags: California | Immigration | Legislation
On November 10, 2009, in an historic vote, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors overrode by a vote of eight to three the mayor's veto of an ordinance to shore up San Francisco's sanctuary policy for undocumented youth. The Board of Supervisors reinstated a city ordinance that allows referral of youth to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) only after an adjudication of guilt. Previously, such youth were referred to I.C.E. upon arrest for a felony charge.
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In re Nunez, No. G040377, 4th Dist.
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Court Decisions and Related Documents
California appellate court rules juvenile life without parole sentence is unconstitutional.
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Getting Paid: The Bills Collected by the Los Angeles County Department of Probation Put Youth at Risk and Impoverish Families, Youth Justice Coalition
Tags: California
Summary of work in California to end billing by the Department of Probation.
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Breaking the Cycle of Abuse in Juvenile Facilities, Barry Krisberg, National Council on Crime and Delinquency
Tags: California | Florida | Indiana | Texas | Institutional Conditions | Reports
Report focusing on abuse of youth in custody in California, Texas, Florida, and Indiana. Reviews data on abuse of youth in juvenile facilities and calls attention to areas where data is lacking.
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Schools for All Campaign: The School Bias and Pushout Problem, ACLU of Northern California
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Reports
Report on school bias and the effects of harassment on vulnerable student populations. The report recommends a collaborative approach to solving these problems.
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California Passes Family Communication and Youth Rehabilitation Act, California, S.B. 1250/Chapter 522
Tags: California | Institutional Conditions | Legislation
Ensures parents and guardians are notified in cases of emergency; provides for notification to families of upcoming parole hearings; allows youth to speak on the phone with family, clergy or legal counsel in their native language; requires youth facilities to provide blank paper, envelopes and pencils to youth in a manner consistent with institutional safety; allows youth to write letters to family, clergy or counsel in their native language; and provides youth with a written description of rights while in custody. The Act is expected to reduce recidivism by allowing for greater family communication.
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Juvenile Justice Reform: Realigning Responsibilities, Little Hoover Commission, California
Tags: California | Fiscal Issues and Funding | Reports
Study focusing on two key areas of California's juvenile justice system: (1) implementation of the realignment legislation and what it will take to be successful and efficient and (2) effective management of the small number of youth offenders who, under the realignment legislation, will remain at the state level.
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Model School Discipline Policies and Programs, Part 1, Jim Freeman, Advancement Project
Tags: California | Colorado | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Administrative/Regulatory Policies
Compilation of model discipline policies and programs from Denver Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
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California a Leader in Number of Youths in Prison for Life, Henry Weinstein, Los Angeles Times
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Media
Article about how a significant portion of inmates in California and around the country are serving life sentences for crimes they committed as juveniles.
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California Passes Bill of Rights for Youth, California, S.B. 518
Tags: California | General System Reform | Institutional Conditions | Legislation
Requires all facilities of the Division of Juvenile Facilities to provide care, placement and services to youth without discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or HIV status.
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California Closes Juvenile Facilities and Reduces Incarcerated Population, California, S.B. 81/Chapter 175
Tags: California | Deinstitutionalization | Legislation
The California Youth Authority (CYA) closed three facilities in accordance with S.B. 81. CYA population was reduced from 2,446 in September 2007 to 1,808 juveniles in September 2008.
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California Introduces New Gang Injunction Guidelines, California, Los Angeles City Attorney's Office
Tags: California | Gangs | Reports
Guidelines representing the internal policy of the Los Angeles Attorney's office in regards to their dealings with gangs and gang violence.
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Culture of Discipline: Guiding Principles for Everyone in the School, Los Angeles Unified School District
Tags: California | School-to-Prison Pipeline | Administrative/Regulatory Policies
School-wide discipline plan focused on positive youth development.
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Bill to End Juvenile Life Without Parole, California, S.B. 999
Tags: California | Life Without Parole and Parole Issues | Legislation
Bill to eliminate life without parole sentencing for offenders under age 18 that was passed by the California Senate's Public Safety Committee.
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California Requires Prompt Enrollment in Medi-Cal for Youth Leaving Detention, California, S.B. 1469
Tags: California | Detention | Fiscal Issues and Funding | Legislation
Youth exiting detention will be enrolled more quickly in Medi-Cal. The legislation requires detention facilities provide information to welfare departments about juveniles who are scheduled to be released.
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California Budget Report, D. Steinhart, Commonweal, June 2005
Tags: California | Fiscal Issues and Funding
Commonweal bulletin that includes a report by David Steinhart on the California budget and crime prevention funds.
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California Budget Bulletin, D. Steinhart, Commonweal, May 17, 2005
Tags: California | Fiscal Issues and Funding
Web article by David Steinhart summarizing California state budget affecting crime prevention and California Youth Authority allocations.