THE YOUTH JUSTICE ACT OF 2015 REINFORCES FEDERAL SAFEGUARDS FOR STATE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS, BY RENEWING EDUCATION, SAFETY, AND PREVENTION STANDARDS FOR OUR NATION’S YOUTH

June 10, 2015

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a senior Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Homeland Security, Terrorism, and Investigations, released the following statement in support of the Youth Justice Act of 2015:

"I look forward to working on legislation to strengthen accountability in juvenile justice programs while also ensuring that we are helping kids get back on the right track. What we really need to do is put a real dent in the school-to-prison-pipeline and send an important message to kids, particularly those in poor or minority communities disproportionately affected by the system, that we care about them and want them to succeed.

"I have been working on criminal justice and women's and children's issues throughout my tenure in the Congress and am proud to say that I have introduced legislation aimed at addressing the safety of our communities and the protection of our young people.

"I believe in comprehensive reform to address all aspects of the criminal and juvenile justice system. This is why I am also working to create effective laws that stop the over-criminalization of our young people. Today, we know that more and more young children are being arrested, incarcerated, and detained in lengthy out-of-home placements. In some states, such as Maryland, a child as young as 7 years old is subject to being charged and prosecuted by the Juvenile Court System. The excessive and traumatic removal of children from their schools and the community is unacceptable and causing irreparable damage to young people.

"Because all lives matter in our great nation, it is imperative that we in Congress act swiftly and decisively to focus much needed attention and resources on legislative proposals intended to address the problem of misuse of lethal force by law enforcement and to rebuild the public trust and confidence needed to ensure that law enforcement receive and maintain the support of the communities they serve and protect.

"Juvenile justice intervention programs are important tools to help local communities serve and protect at-risk youth who come into contact with the criminal justice system. I wholeheartedly support working towards comprehensive reform that will allow for appropriate and strategic re-authorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. I look forward to working with Congressman Scott on this initiative and I welcome this continued dialogue and joint effort to accomplish these ends."

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