We're asking Virginia's Department of Juvenile Justice to stop implementing an unfair, unwise and unauthorized placement system for young people in the state's youth prisons.  Under the previous system, youth could earn a better classification level through positive behavior and participation in treatment and school.  That way they could qualify for work/education release and other programs that help them make a successful transition to the community.

The new classification system locks youth into worse classification levels, no matter how well behaved they are. This reduces incentives for youth to behave and may make the youth prisons less safe.  Also, the new system is not based on research.  Classification should be based on factors that predict youth’s behavior in the facility.  The new system is based on items that do not predict misbehavior.

The classification system was changed without authorization from Virginia's Board of Juvenile Justice, which oversees policy for the youth prisons.  Join us in asking Board members to require the Department of Juvenile Justice to stop using this unfair, unwise, and unauthorized classification system.