Congress Must Reauthorize Long-Overdue Protections for Them
September 20, 2010--Congress has only 14 days left to reauthorize critical legislation aimed at avoiding the detention and incarceration of young people in juvenile and adult facilities. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), enacted in 1974, is more than three years overdue for reauthorization.
In the Senate, S. 678, reauthorizing the JJDPA, was approved by the Judiciary Committee on December 17, 2009. But the U.S. House of Representatives has yet to introduce or act on new legislation.
The law provides federal funds to states that comply with best practices aimed at avoiding the detention and incarceration of young people in juvenile and adult facilities and instead devote more resources to effective alternatives that protect our children and keep our communities safe. It is needed now more than ever to end the over-incarceration of young people of color in the justice system and stop the inappropriate use of adult jails for warehousing children charged as adults.
Children and youth who are already caught in the system cannot wait any longer. Congress must reauthorize the JJDPA before adjourning on October 8.
How You Can Help--Today!
Urge your Representative and Senators to pass reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act this year. You can also make your voice heard by signing these petitions:
For more information about the law and its reauthorization, visit ACT 4 Juvenile Justice, a campaign of the National Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Coalition.