As someone who was convicted young, I spent all of my 20's and a portion of my 30's in prison for non-violent crimes, crimes committed when my brain was undeveloped - causing irrational and impulsive behavior without thoughtful consideration of the consequences. This experience has spurred me to fight for reform.

Our justice system disproportionately penalizes Black men, particularly in cases involving non-violent crimes. Research highlights that Black youth are five times more likely to be detained or committed than their white counterparts (The Sentencing Project). We argue this is not just due to racial bias, but a disregard for the fact that young, undeveloped men behave irrationally, sometimes leading to non-violent crimes.

Increased funding for community-based intervention programmes, alternatives to detention, and a comprehensive reexamination of current sentencing laws are needed. We can not overlook the fact that the brain is not fully developed until the age of 25, a fact supported by the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

The plight of those punished excessively for crimes committed at a young age should open our eyes to the urgent need for systemic reform. Our purpose is to foster understanding, mitigate racial disparity, and provide hope for a generation of youth who deserve a second chance.

Please show your support by signing this petition and advocating for the fair treatment and sentencing of youth in our criminal justice system, ensuring their future doesn't end before it gets a chance to begin.