In 2007, CDF formally launched its Cradle to Prison Pipeline^® Campaign, a national call to action to end the crisis at the intersection of poverty and race that puts Black boys born in 2001 at a one in three lifetime risk of going to prison, and Latino boys born in 2001 at a one in six lifetime risk of the same fate. CDF works to build a common understanding of the root causes of this crisis and lead actions to produce results in critical areas, particularly juvenile justice, and to raise public awareness about this crisis to catalyze action at the local, state and federal levels to form "Cradle coalitions" across the country and to help train a next generation of leaders committed to dismantling the Pipeline.

Addressing the Challenges of Reentry in the Juvenile Justice System

With the largest juvenile justice system in the country, Los Angeles County officials are concerned about the programming juveniles receive while they are incarcerated, as well as the services to support successful reintegration into society after release. Marian Wright Edelman recently joined with Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas in a press conference to discuss the current state of juvenile reentry and policies to meet the educational, mental health and substance abuse needs of the County's juveniles, and further dismantle the Cradle to Prison Pipeline.

A report on juvenile reentry was prepared for Supervisor Ridley-Thomas' office earlier this year by Michelle Newell and Angelica Salazar, former masters candidates at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government who now both work at the Children's Defense Fund on juvenile justice policy. Supervisor Ridley-Thomas has introduced this report as a motion to the Board of Supervisors in an effort to shed a light on the high recidivism rate and begin to improve the path that youth take when reentering their communities. The report's recommendations include things like strengthening the planning for a youth's transition back into the community, ensuring continuity in care to make sure youth do not experience educational or health disruptions, and improving the data collection and analysis capability of the Probation Department.

Click here to view Supervisor Ridley-Thomas and Mrs. Edelman's press release, Ridley-Thomas' motion to the Board of Supervisors, the executive summary of the report, or the whole report.

New Data on Vulnerable Children and Youths

During the summer of 2010, CDF released The State of America's Children^® 2010, a compilation of the most recent and reliable national and state-by-state data on key child indicators, including youth at risk and gun violence. The Other Vulnerable Children and Youths section alarms us to the fact that Black children are seven times as likely as White children to have a parent in prison. At ages 10–17, a Black youth is five times as likely as a White youth to be arrested for a violent crime. Other youths escape “the system” but cannot find work and struggle day to day. They all face multiple risks that jeopardize their futures.

JJDPA Reauthorization Act

On December 17, 2009 the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman approved S. 687, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009, by a roll call of 12-7. This bill reauthorizes a critical federal law that establishes core protections for youth in the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. The JJDPA also provides funding for state improvements to juvenile justice systems and prevention programs, and requires states to take concrete steps to address the over-incarceration of children of color. Visit act4jj.org to find out more about the Reauthorization and how to get involved!

Juvenile Justice and the Federal Budget

The Obama Administration's budget request for the fiscal year 2010 signals a new national commitment to children, families and America's future. The policies and funding changes proposed make clear that the President understands that investing in children now will ensure a more stable economy and a healthier, more competitive workforce for the future.

The budget maintains FY2009 level funding for key juvenile justice programs, but it makes a significant down payment on Second Chance Act funding. This funding supports juvenile and adult re-entry programs that help put former offenders on the path to a productive and successful life.

To better understand what the budget proposals mean for children, CDF has provided an overview of the budget, broken down by issue area, and provides information on some areas where more attention is needed.

For more information on Juvenile Justice issues California, please contact Michelle Newell at mnewell@childrensdefense.org.