Congressional Briefing This Wednesday
Ashley Nellis
Ashley
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Senator Chris Murphy Invites You to a Briefing on the Introduction of
The Better Options for Kids Act
With a Discussion of How Stakeholders, States, and the Federal Government Can Help More Children Succeed through Policies that Improve School Success and Limit Juvenile Court Involvement
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Senate Dirksen Building Room 608
Despite the huge costs to incarcerate a child for one year – in Connecticut, for example, it costs about $134,000, and in Ohio, it cost $123,000 – studies have shown that longer incarceration of youth simply does not work. Once they are locked up, youth are less likely to graduate from high school, their income earning capacity is lower, and they are more likely to grow up and become entangled with the adult criminal justice system or reliant on government social programs. Worse, most of the youth referred to court system or incarcerated have not committed serious or violent crimes. In 2010, 63% of young people were incarcerated for committing nonviolent offenses, technical probation violations, and status offenses. Overly harsh school discipline for typical misconduct also leads to school failure and juvenile court involvement.
Instead of unnecessary suspensions, expulsions, and court referrals, schools and states can use alternative options that help students succeed. Today, the juvenile crime rate is at a low point, and several states and counties such as Connecticut, Ohio, Texas, and Clayton County, Georgia have made huge strides in changing their policies to cut youth incarceration and law enforcement referrals and replaced them with evidence-based solutions that have saved their states money while improving public safety and youth outcomes in the process.
Speakers:
The Honorable Judge Steven Teske
Chief Judge of the Juvenile Court of Clayton County, Georgia
Jim St. Germain
Founder of Preparing Leaders of Tomorrow (PLOT) and former court-involved youth
Leigh Mahoney
Director of National Education & Program Development
Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps
With an introduction by Senator Chris Murphy.
To RSVP, please email Murphy_...@Murphy.senate.gov.
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