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Juvenile records create major hurdles, says study

The United States has no national standard for how juvenile records are dealt with, and no states earned a five-star rating from the Juvenile Law Center, a national public interest law firm that ensures child welfare. The center scored each state on factors such as confidentiality of records, availability of sealing of records, and expungement

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Former Youth Inmates Proof Juvenile Reforms Work

Sang Dao and Noah Schultz were both sentenced to years in prison at 17 years old under mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines. Fortunately for them, both had access to mentors, role models, and educational opportunities – and were inspired to turn their life around and make the most of the opportunities many others don’t have. Sentenced

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Janie Porter-Barrett

By Christopher Zoukis Her name was Janie Porter.  She was born just as the American Civil War came to a close.  Growing up in Macon, Georgia, Janie was an exemplary student, eventually graduating with honors from Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute.  Janie took her teaching degree seriously, accepting a position in rural Georgia.  Five years

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Children's Prison Arts Project

Incarcerated juveniles often see the world through the adult correctional institution. Juveniles respond differently to correctional methods than adults do. From Houston, Texas, comes this positive and innovative art therapy program – Children’s Prison Arts Project. Founded in 1994 by an artist and educator, Birgit Walker, the Children’s Prison Arts Project has become a non-profit

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The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program

Mediation for victims of crimes, their families and the offenders is a large part of finding restitution for the crime and from having that crime reoccur.

The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program, based in Fresno, California, is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides voluntary, non-fee mediation services to victims of juvenile crime and theirr offenders.

The Victim Offender Reconciliation Program began in 1982 in Fresno County and is based on the Biblical Vision of Shalom (Whole-Making Peace). The program sees this as existing when there are right-relations between fellow human beings, and between people and God.

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Free Minds – Book Club & Writing Workshop

Incarcerated youth often have open minds that can become closed down by a lack of literary stimulation while in prison. The mission of Free Minds – Book Club & Writing Workshop is to introduce young inmates to how powerful books and creative writing can be and how writing can express emotions and put into words

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Homegirl Cafe and Catering

Imagine that you are an at-risk young woman, or have been involved in gangs and are given the opportunity to become a contributing member of society instead of being incarcerated? This is exactly what Homegirl Cafe & Catering accomplish. In 1981 Chef Patricia Zarate left her homeland on Guadalajara, Mexico and moved to Southern California.

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The National Juvenile Justice Education Clearinghouse

In conjunction with the Center for Criminology and Criminal Justice and Florida State University comes the National Juvenile Justice Education Clearinghouse. This vast project collects and consolidates information and data concerning juvenile justice. The purpose of the National Juvenile Justice Education Clearinghouse is to provide a place where juvenile justice educators can research and share

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Campaign for Youth & Justice – Because the Consequences Aren’t Minor

On any given night in America, 10,000 children are held in adult jails and prisons. Approximately 7,500 of these kids have never been convicted of a crime. These are horrendous numbers! These are children often tried for non-violent crimes that are housed in adult jails and prisons with hard-core offenders! Research and data, when paid

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Acknowledging the Pain and Anger

There are students who try to get kicked out of class. It reminds me of foster children who know exactly what they need to do to get kicked out of a foster home. They figure it’s going to happen anyway, so they might as well get it over with. Some probably don’t believe they can pass the GED Test, or are too lazy to try.  If they can get kicked out by “mean Ms. Chamberlin”, then they can blame me instead of themselves.

These guys, especially the younger ones, will get really angry and rude. They are often very intelligent, but they’ll do whatever they can to get thrown out.  So, knowing that, I visit with them, let them know I’m aware of their plan (even if they don’t realize what they’re doing), and usually I can get them to decide to stay and try.

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