Campaign for Youth

Justice
Mary Trull

About

The Campaign for Youth Justice (CFYJ) is a national initiative focused entirely on ending
the practice of prosecuting, sentencing, and incarcerating youth under the age of 18 in
the adult criminal justice system. CFYJ was initiated in 2004 by a parent whose son
was transferred to the adult criminal court for prosecution. Stemming from her family's
circumstances and a desire to change state and federal policies that allow for the
prosecution of hundreds of thousands of youth in adult court every year, this parent
made a financial commitment to launch a national campaign. Subsequently, the
Campaign for Youth Justice officially opened in July, 2005.

Goals

To raise awareness about the negative impact of prosecuting youth in the adult
criminal justice system as well as incarcerating youth in adult jails and prisons;
To reduce the number of youth who are tried, sentenced, and incarcerated in the adult
system, rather than adjudicated in the juvenile justice system;
To decrease the harmful impact of trying youth in adult court; and
To promote research-based, developmentally appropriate rehabilitative programs and
services for youth as an alternative to the adult system.

Current Primary Focus

President Obama to Ban Solitary
Confinement
The Washington Post states: President Obama on
Monday announced a ban on solitary confinement for
juvenile offenders in the federal prison system, saying
the practice is overused and has the potential for
devastating psychological consequences.In an op-ed
that appears in Tuesday editions of The Washington
Post, the president outlines a series of executive
actions that also prohibit federal corrections officials
from punishing prisoners who commit low-level
infractions with solitary confinement. The new rules
also dictate that the longest a prisoner can be punished
with solitary confinement for a first offense is 60 days,
rather than the current maximum of 365 days
(Ephiren, 2016).

Advocacy Project
Who I contacted

What I discussed

Renee Elmers Congresswoman for NC 2nd district

Town of Pembroke, NC

Mayor of Lumberton NC Raymond Pennington

How important it is to have more

researched rehabs and alternative
interventions for minors that are
being charged with an adult crime.
How damaging it is for a minor to
be charged with an adult crime and
solitary confinement.