Youth Justice


Partnership for Safety and Justice believes that public safety is best served when youth in trouble are held accountable and given the services they need to succeed in the juvenile justice system rather than the adult criminal justice system. Our Youth Justice Campaign works to combat the laws that automatically try, sentence and imprison youth in our adult system.

For the 2013 legislative session, we are focused on increasing judicial discretion for youth tried as adults.

Comprehensive changes are needed for youth tried as adults that would insert judges back into the accountability process. These reforms are designed to increase the likelihood that youth are rehabilitated and able to become successful members of our community when they come home.

  1. Provide an “earned review hearing” for youth serving adult sentences at which a judge can determine if youth can serve the remainder of the sentence on mandatory supervision.
     
  2. Remove second degree offenses from being automatically waived to the adult system. Youth would be held accountable through the juvenile justice system for these lower-level offenses.
     
  3. For youth automatically transferred to the adult system, allow a judge to hold a hearing to determine if the youth should be handled as an adult or juvenile (known as reverse waiver).

 

PSJ released a comprehensive study, "Misguided Measures: The Impact and Outcomes of Measure 11." "Misguided Measures" is the first study of the impact of Measure 11 on Oregon's youth and provides important information and analyses that will help PSJ, it's members and it's allies to work to reform laws that try youth as adults in Oregon.

 

Program Spotlight

What the Revenue Forecast Means for Public Safety Reform
Much of the conversation about needed corrections reform has focused on getting money to our crumbling local public safety infrastructure. But Oregonians shouldn’t forget that the need to pass HB 3194, a comprehensive package of corrections reforms, isn’t about saving money (and it never was).
Read more
"We Deserve Better"
See video
Partnership for Safety and Justice premieres a two-minute video “We Deserve Better” highlighting core problems in Oregon’s approach to youth accountability, crime prevention, and rehabilitation. Connected to this video is an urgent action request.
Read more
Youth Justice Lobby Day 2013
Fifty PSJ members and supporters across the state came to our capitol on April 2nd to tell legislators that smart public safety policy needs to keep youth in the juvenile justice system and not in adult jails and prisons.
Read more
2013 Legislative Session Begins!
PSJ begins the 2013 legislative session with real optimism and momentum. This could be a year when Oregon takes a giant stride forward in its approach to building safe and healthy communities.
Read more
Oregon Out of Balance
See video
Partnership for Safety and Justice is incredibly excited about this five-minute film, Oregon Out of Balance. It’s a powerful examination of the ways Oregon can improve its approach to building safe and healthy communities.
Read more
More PSJ Spotlights…