Treat Kids as Kids: A Modern Approach to Ensuring Safe Communities - Newsweek Opinion by OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan

Across the nation, incidents involving youth crime underscore the importance of ensuring communities have the best information, tools, and resources to ensure public safety without abandoning decades of progress in juvenile justice reforms. A new report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics on Crimes Involving Juveniles, 1993-2022 shows fluctuations in the incidence and patterns of youth crime over time. While upticks in certain offense categories demand action and justice, it is crucial to view them within a broader context.

New Illinois law automatically sets up expungement hearings for juveniles - Fox News 32

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a new law on Friday aimed at simplifying juvenile expungement in Illinois. Senate Bill 3463 amends the Juvenile Court Act to automatically set up an expungement hearing for juveniles. Previously, the law didn’t mandate automatic hearings, so juveniles had to schedule their own hearings two years after their case. The new law streamlines the process and helps make things a lot easier for them, Pritzker said.

Youth Incarceration Declined 75% Between 2000 and 2022- The Sentencing Project

The Sentencing Project released a new report, “Youth Justice By the Numbers” which found that the number of youth held in juvenile justice facilities fell from 108,800 to 27,600 between 2000 – 2022 – a 75% decline.

“Public opinion often misconstrues the realities of youth justice, wrongly assuming that crime is perpetually increasing and that youth offending is routinely violent. This report dispels those myths. The 21st century has seen significant declines in youth arrests and incarceration, and youth offenses tend to be nonviolent,” said Joshua Rovner, Director of Youth Justice with The Sentencing Project and author of the report.

On Aug. 9, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 426, which grants the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) the ability to transfer emerging adults who qualify for high school educational services from an IDOC facility to an IDJJ facility. "Under this bill, IDJJ will provide mandated educational services to young adults transferred from IDOC while simultaneously offering the array of holistic, therapeutic, and individualized services that current DJJ youth receive," said Rob Vickery, Acting Director of IDJJ. "IDJJ is grateful for the support of Senator Murphy and Rep. Guzzardi in moving this bill forward."

Kitchen fire leaves significant damage at Illinois Youth Center fire in suburban Warrenville

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Jelly Roll Attends Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Youth Center in Nashville- Billboard Magazine

Jelly Roll has inspired thousands with his story of rising from an incarcerated teen to becoming one of music’s newest hitmakers and most beloved artists.

On Tuesday (Aug. 8), the Antioch, Tennessee, native took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for Nashville’s new Youth Campus for Empowerment, which will be located on Brick Church Pike in Nashville. A 14-acre site will include the serve as the new home of the Davidson County Juvenile Justice Center, and a pre-trial housing facility for justice-involved youth.

The new campus will also include resources and agencies to aid families, as well as a 24-hour assessment center to support youth in crisis. The space will include meeting rooms and courtrooms to allow court staff, community partners, litigants and attorneys to hold private meetings and mediations to resolve family conflicts. A safe exchange facility will also provide a place for custodial visitation for families and children.

Five Things About Youth and Delinquency

-National Institute of Justice

Research and data on youth and delinquency is critical for identifying opportunities and developing strategies to support positive development through prevention and intervention. Responses to youth misbehavior by youth-serving systems — including education, child welfare, behavioral health, and justice systems — can play an important role in promoting or disrupting youths’ healthy social and emotional development.

*Opinions and viewpoints shared in the above articles do not necessarily represent views and policies of the Illinois Dept. of Juvenile Justice.

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE

IDJJ's mission is to build youth skills and strengthen families to promote community safety and positive youth outcomes.