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The Fight for Juvenile Justice Reform

Last updated on June 06, 2019

The Fight for Juvenile Justice Reform

We are increasingly criminalizing common youth behavior and unnecessarily separating families.  Community-based alternatives that keep kids at home are cheaper and more effective, and provide them with the resources and tools they need to succeed.
 
 
ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN
 
The ACLU-WV is committed to reforming juvenile justice system from the ground up in West Virginia through this multi-year campaign.
 
This campaign seeks to put an end to the criminalization of childhood behavior, meeting the needs of children facing mental health crises and trauma, keeping families together, ending the school-to-prison pipeline, ensuring that racial disparities are erased, focusing on rehabilitation in the least restrictive setting, and more.
 
 
OUR GOALS
 
  • Reduce juveniles in detention in West Virginia by 75%
  • Reduce juveniles in residential placement by 65%
  • Reduce out-of-home placement for status offences by 65%
  • Reduce referrals to court from school by 50%
  • Eliminate disparate minority contact in schools and communities
GET INVOLVED
 

 

FIND A CAMPAIGN KICKOFF EVENT NEAR YOU
 
The ACLU-WV staff is touring the state to talk about our campaigns.  At these events, you will hear from Executive Director Joseph Cohen, and Policy Director Eli Baumwell about our vision, our plans, and how you can get involved.  Find one near you.  

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