The Stoneleigh Foundation and Columbia University Justice Lab hosted a virtual convening examining the impact of COVID-19 and racial justice advocacy on the U.S. youth justice system.
Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nationwide decline in admissions to and average daily populations within youth detention facilities has been stunning. A survey by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that admissions fell by more than 50% between March 1 and April 30, exceeding the total percentage reductions that took place over the prior 13 years. The current public health crisis has brought renewed vigor to the question of whether institutional incarceration should be used in response to offenses committed by young people and, if not, what other options would be more suitable.
At the same time, in the wake of George Floyd’s killing, protestors across the country have challenged the underlying philosophy and approach of law enforcement and the U.S. criminal legal system, including calling for a major shift of resources away from policing toward greater community services and supports. Similarly, youth justice advocates are questioning the efficacy of our reliance on the institutional incarceration of young people, as well as the compliance, surveillance, and sanctions-based approach of juvenile probation.
SPEAKERS
Avik Das
Director and Chief Probation Officer
Cook County Juvenile Probation and Court Services
Honorable Edwina G. Mendelson
Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives; Presiding Judge
New York State Unified Court System; New York County Youth Part Supreme Court
Mark Mertens
Administrator for the Division of Youth and Family Services
Milwaukee County Health and Human Services Department
David Muhammad
Executive Director
National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform
Patrick McCarthy (moderator)
Stoneleigh Visiting Fellow
Columbia University Justice Lab
