Tell the Senate: Pass Juvenile Justice Reform Now!

The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act of 2009, S. 678, has been introduced and was approved by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 12-7 on December 17th, 2009.  The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), was first enacted in 1974 and provides federal funding to states that comply with a set of best practices aimed at avoiding the detention and incarceration of young people in juvenile and adult facilities.

It's a good law, and is needed now more than ever to end the over-incarceration of young people of color in the justice system and stop the inappropriate use of adult jails for warehousing children charged as adults. 

If you believe that it is urgent to stop putting youth in adult jails and prisons, to end the over-incarceration of youth of color in the justice system, and instead to devote more resources to effective juvenile justice programs such as alternatives to detention and incarceration, contact the Senate now and urge them to move the bill on the Senate floor now!

Send the letter below to urge your Senators to move the JJDPA bill now to take positive steps to fix our juvenile justice system!