Breakfast To Brief Community On Juvenile Justice Reform

CONTACT: QUICKSILVER COMMUNICATION

203-785-8520
colleen@qsilvercomm.com

NEW HAVEN – The Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance will discuss its 2007 legislative priorities at a breakfast meeting on Friday, November 17, at 8 a.m., at Gateway Community College, Long Wharf Campus, 60 Sargent Drive, New Haven, Room 160.

Connecticut is one of only three states in the nation that tries 16- and 17-year-olds as adults and sentences them to adult prisons. This is true even for minor, non-violent offenses. The Alliance supports keeping non-violent juvenile offenders in the juvenile system, where age-appropriate services have been proven to lower the risk that youths will re-offend.

Speakers will also address Connecticut’s Families with Service Needs status. FWSN cases involve non-criminal conduct, such as truancy or running away. FWSN children are, however, under the jurisdiction of the criminal courts and can be incarcerated for their behavior. Some states, such as New York, have removed these status offenders from the criminal courts and report improved outcomes for children and families as well as savings for taxpayers.

The breakfast will be hosted by Representative Mike Lawlor, Representative Cameron Staples, Representative Toni Walker, the Center for Children’s Advocacy, Connecticut Voices for Children, FAVOR, Youth Rights Media and PEETA/AFCAMP. The public and members of the press are invited to attend. To RSVP, please call 203-579- 2727, extension 312 or email kat@cjja.org