juvenile-justice

COMMENTARY

Pennsylvania can’t wait any longer for juvenile justice reform | Opinion

BY: - July 2, 2023

Bills before the state House and Senate would help Pennsylvania's youth and a system that badly needs a fix.

Report: Racial inequities ‘pervade’ Philly’s juvenile justice system | Tuesday Morning Coffee

BY: - May 23, 2023

More kids have been diverted, but costs have 'soared' for those who remain, according to a report released Monday.

The future of youth detention hangs in balance of Pittsburgh election

BY: - May 14, 2023

Social workers are pushing the candidates in the Democratic primary for Allegheny County executive to not re-open a local juvenile jail.

Pa.’s juvenile detention centers are overcrowded, but building more isn’t the answer, advocates say

BY: - April 20, 2023

Youth advocates and a juvenile justice official called on Pennsylvania lawmakers to address a shortage of space and staff that has created a crisis affecting children in the justice system. While the head of the state chief juvenile probation officers’ group said the solution is for the state Department of Human Services to make more […]

SHUMAN CENTER

Allegheny Co. seeks developer to run private children’s detention center

BY: - October 20, 2022

The county will accept proposals from developers until Oct. 28.

Nigel Bowe (L), executive director of Diversion Services, and George Clark, program manager for The Choice is Yours

Philly diversion program offers option to clear criminal records

BY: - March 31, 2022

For 10 years, The Choice is Yours program has offered first-time drug offenders, ages 18-30, an alternative to going before a judge.

‘They need to be loved on’: Philly program offers youthful offenders a second chance

BY: - March 9, 2022

The Youth Aid Panel is a diversion program for first-time offenders, who face a panel of community volunteers instead of a judge.

COMMENTARY

I survived the devastating impact of youth incarceration. It’s time for Pa. to end it | Opinion

BY: - November 12, 2021

Building a Pa. free of youth incarceration makes communities stronger, improves outcomes for young people.

COMMENTARY

The Juvenile Justice Task Force report gave us a roadmap to reform. Now it’s up to lawmakers to finish the job | Opinion

BY: - June 27, 2021

The recommendations fall short of transformational, but they are true step forward toward badly needed reforms.

COMMENTARY

Will Amy Coney Barrett protect the constitutional rights of children and youth? | Opinion

BY: - October 25, 2020

Barrett is widely seen as Scalia’s heir on the Supreme Court given her adherence to his originalist philosophy. Her appointment puts in danger the constitutional rights of children and youth.

Groups rally to release youth from Philly Juvenile Center in light of COVID-19 pandemic

BY: - May 18, 2020

Those assembled called on city Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, and local courts to halt admissions and institute a timely process to release those youths in detention. 

Wolf, lawmakers announce new panel to study juvenile justice system

BY: - December 16, 2019

The new advisory panel is the result of a partnership with the Pew Charitable Trusts, a Philadelphia-based research and public policy organization.