| IT’S NOT ALL BAD NEWS
Not all politics is conflict. For the first time in a REALLY LONG TIME, juvenile justice reform is progressing in Pennsylvania.
Bipartisan Movement in Harrisburg
State lawmakers from both sides of the aisle put aside partisan differences to advance important changes for kids caught up in the juvenile system. This hasn’t happened in a very long time, an encouraging sign that reason is beginning to overcome the longstanding “lock ‘em up” rhetoric.
Diversion, Not Detention
Diversion programs create opportunities for children to learn from their mistakes and make amends, and get counseling, substance abuse treatment, mentoring, or other forms of support that get to the root causes of behavior. Kids who complete diversion programs are 17% less likely to be rearrested within five years because they get help, not retribution.
Because each county runs its own diversion program, there are a lot of inconsistencies across the Commonwealth. Rep. Rick Krajewski (D-Phila) introduced legislation to standardize and expand juvenile diversion statewide so more young people have a better shot at a second chance. His bill, HB 144, passed the PA House of Representatives 153 to 45. More than half of the Republicans votes yes.
No Unnecessary Detention
When a judge orders a kid to a juvenile detention program, there are too many times when a slot is not available. Instead of sending the child home to their families until something opens up, the kid sits behind bars, not getting services, not starting their rehabilitation, not meeting their obligations. It’s unnecessary detention.
Reps. Anthony Bellmon and Andre Carroll (D-Phila) sponsored HB 1936, legislation to reduce unnecessary time young people spend in detention by encouraging faster placement in court-ordered programs and alternatives to incarceration. It passed the House by a vote of 111 to 87.
Next step is the PA Senate. Send a message to your state representative to say thank you for their vote.
Protecting Kids in Institutions
Because youth facilities had been covering up physical, sexual, and emotional abuse by staff for years, Children First worked closely with then-Mayor Jim Kenney in 2022 to protect children in juvenile institutions. Mayor Kenney signed an executive order to create the city Office of the Youth Ombudsperson (OYO), an independent monitor of child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health residential placement facilities that is a direct line for kids and families to report abuse, neglect, and issues with care.
“But by their nature, executive orders are temporary. Our children’s safety should not be,” said Stefanie Arbutina, our Director of Vulnerable Youth Policy, to councilmembers in support of making the office permanent. Last week, Council unamiously agreed and is putting the decision before Philadelphia voters on the May ballot so children in institutional settings have an agency dedicated to keeping them safe.
You can visit the Philadelphia City Commissioners website for voter information and registration to cast your vote in May.
In a time when it seems that elected officials can’t find common ground on issues that benefit children and families, it’s uplifting that lawmakers across Pennsylvania are. And that’s good news for a change.
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