Solitary Reform Shows Power of Brain Science to Change Policy
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Compelling brain science is finally starting to make its way into the formation of policies — and we need to keep it going.
An 11-year-old denied making a threat and was allowed to return to school. Tennessee police arrested him anyway.
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In late September, Torri was driving down the highway with her 11-year-old son Junior in the back seat when her phone started ringing.
It was the Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy who worked at Junior’s middle school in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Deputy Arthur Richardson asked Torri where she was. She told him she was on the way to a family birthday dinner at LongHorn Steakhouse.
“He said, ‘Is Junior with you?’” Torri recalled.
Earlier that day, Junior had been accused by other students of making a threat against the school. When Torri had come to pick him up, she’d spoken with Richardson and with administrators, who’d told her he was allowed to return to class the next day. The principal had said she would carry out an investigation then. ProPublica and WPLN are using a nickname for Junior and not including Torri’s last name at the family’s request, to prevent him from being identifiable.
When Richardson called her in the car, Torri immediately felt uneasy. He didn’t say much before hanging up, and she thought about turning around to go home. But she kept driving. When they walked into the restaurant, Torri watched as Junior happily greeted his family.
Soon her phone rang again. It was the deputy. He said he was outside in the strip mall’s parking lot and needed to talk to Junior. Torri called Junior’s stepdad, Kevin Boyer, for extra support, putting him on speaker as she went outside to talk to Richardson. She left Junior with the family, wanting to protect her son for as long as she could ...
A campus shooting spurred her political awakening. Her whole family followed.
TUCSON, Arizona — Adriana Grijalva was getting ready to head to class at the University of Arizona in the fall of 2022 when she got a text message from her cousin telling her to stay put. The cousin, who works in maintenance at the university, had watched law enforcement descend on campus and reached out to make sure she was safe. A former student had just shot a professor 11 times, killing him.
Justice organization announces new youth restorative justice partners
Equal Justice USA (EJUSA) announced October 8 that it will partner with four new communities to build new restorative youth justice diversion programs. Restorative justice includes an accountability process that identifies root causes of youth criminal actions, while providing an opportunity for healing both for the person harmed and the person who has caused harm.
A Louisiana law meant to fight teen violence is sweeping 17-year-olds arrested for lesser crimes into adult court
Louisiana is the only state to pass and then reverse Raise the Age legislation. Louisiana’s criminal justice system now treats all 17-year-olds as adults. Is reversing Raise the Age making a difference in the number of violent crimes by 18-year-olds?
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School violence: Mapping incidents in Georgia
Ex-Foster Youth Turned Lawmaker Prioritizes Spending for Foster Care Reform
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“Somebody might get discovered tonight! I may have a record deal for you!” joked Georgia Rep. Erica Thomas, 28, at a communal birthday party for teenagers and young adults who are dealing with homelessness, abuse and neglect, or other troubles. Just hours before, Thomas was on the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives, where the former foster youth counts improving the lives of kids in foster care among her top priorities.
Witnessing Murder: My Life’s Turning Point
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It’s cold out here and I’ve been practicing my left hand lay-up for about an hour now. I go up for another lay-up and miss it. It isn’t any help that the rim is slightly crooked. I can hear my brother talking about this girl he used to date and how she was good in bed.
It’s Time to Rethink Solitary Confinement for Juveniles in State Prisons and Jails
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Prolonged isolation has the potential to leave a permanent scar on many individuals, especially juveniles. It is thus time to reconsider the use of solitary confinement in state prisons and jails.
An Open Letter to Our Next President
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Dear Presidential Candidate,
We know you care about keeping our communities safe, ensuring the welfare of our children and guaranteeing a fair and equitable justice system for all.
Choosing the Positive Narrative for Black Children in America
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My son turned 13 last weekend. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking he is now eligible to be charged as an adult in the event he commits a stupid act that is deemed a felony offense, instead of celebrating a rite of passage. This is wrong.
An Open Letter to U.S. Senator Tom Cotton
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I am writing in regards to the concerns you recently expressed on the floor of the Senate about removing the Valid Court Order Exception from the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).
Remembering Trayvon Martin: A Death That Brought A Movement To Life
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It was four years ago Friday that an unforeseen incident would be the catalyst to start a national movement. On the evening of Feb. 26, in Sanford, Florida, a 28-year-old man with a gun got out of his truck and confronted, chased, shot and killed a 17-year-old unarmed black kid. Trayvon Martin was merely walking home from a convenience store with a bag of Skittles and a can of Arizona Iced Tea.