Letter: For Youth, Second Chances
Apr 15, 2009, Jonathan Fanton, New York Times
To the Editor:
“Missouri System Treats Juvenile Offenders With Lighter Hand” (news article, March 27) highlights the Missouri Model, which is just one of many promising reforms under way in states across the country.
The MacArthur Foundation’s juvenile justice reform initiative, Models for Change, is active in 16 states. Evidence is building that the time is right for a wave of reform that could result in juvenile justice systems that are fairer, rational and developmentally sound — systems whose investments in young people benefit the larger society as well.
In Peoria, Ill., the Peace Circles in Schools project has resulted in a 43 percent reduction in the number of young people sent to court from school. Berks County, Pa., reduced the number of youth incarcerated before trial by almost 50 percent after judges began using a standardized detention screening instrument.
Polls show that the American public supports second chances. These and other promising practices show the way.
Jonathan Fanton
President
John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Chicago, April 1, 2009
View the original letter as posted on the New York Times website.
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Illinois
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