In a recent blog, OJJDP Administrator Liz Ryan emphasizes the importance of serving justice-involved youth at home, with their families and in their communities, one of three priorities that guides the work of OJJDP. This is the second of three blog posts by Ryan during National Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), recognized each October to raise awareness and highlight the need to support justice-involved youth.
"Young people who break the law must be held accountable for their wrongs, but incarceration is seldom the answer," writes Ryan.
Ryan discusses the trauma that system-involved youth have suffered while confined, including physical and sexual abuse and death. Ryan explains that resources are better invested in community-based alternatives, which are safer and more effective at positively impacting youth behavior and reducing reoffending.
The Administrator's blog also highlights OJJDP funding of programs that support youth, including the FY 2022 Community-Based Alternatives to Youth Incarceration Initiative.
RESOURCES:
- Read Administrator Ryan's blog on OJJDP’s Community-Based Alternatives to Youth Incarceration Initiative.
- Access our YJAM toolkit for recommended hashtags, social media posts, and graphics.
- Follow OJJDP on Twitter and Facebook.