Elected officials like district attorneys, sheriffs, and governor’s council have enormous influence along the cradle to prison pipeline. These actors are decision makers in pressing charges, encouraging diversion, operating county jails and deciding guilt of a defendant who waives a jury trial.
CLM recently partnered with Citizens for Juvenile Justice and several other organizations in creating and promoting a new set of Youth Justice Voter Guides to help young adults and their champions vote for justice in upcoming local elections.
Our Youth Justice 2022 voter guides support a vision for a more just and equitable youth justice system that:
- Is fair and equitable in holding young people accountable in a way that helps them get back on the right track
- Focuses on advancing community and public safety as a primary goal as opposed to a punishment-centered response
- Dismantles the legal system’s legacy of institutional racism that is built on slavery, Jim Crow laws, and ongoing barriers to being a full member of society
- Centers rehabilitation and positive youth development in both the youth and adult legal systems
- Minimizes the use of the legal system to achieve this vision, and values prevention over punishment