Despite Victories, Juvenile Justice Reform Still Needs Work

HARTFORD — Keeping kids off the streets and out of the system. Connecticut has made many juvenile justice reforms, but still has a lot of work to do, according to advocates and the outgoing Chief State’s Attorney.

Right now, all aspect of Connecticut’s juvenile justice system are under review by the Council of State Governments Justice Center. At the same time, the Improving Outcomes for Youth Statewide task force is analyzing data and will issue a report with best practices and policy ideas that is expected out sometime in January.

The Center for Children’s Advocacy represents one of the teens involved in the Hartford shootout incident where 71 year old Yvonne Smith was killed after getting hit by a car. Executive Director Martha Stone said, “More police is not the answer. I think we could do a lot to improve the relationships.”

Stone told Fox61 education is closely tied to juvenile justice outcomes. She’s concerned about urban schools. “These kids are in poor performing high schools. They are disengaged and they are part of the chronic absenteeism numbers,” she said.

read story