Turning Statistics into Reform

By Zerline Hughes

In our field of research, advocacy and technical assistance, it’s every organization’s goal to truly impact policymakers to make a move, enact change, spread the gospel, so to speak, so that our statistics and recommendations turn into action, reform.

In February, thanks to partnerships with organizations like Campaign for Youth Justice, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Tow Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change Initiative, our report, “Juvenile Justice Reform in Connecticut: How Collaboration and Commitment Improved Outcomes for Youth,” which received widespread media attention will be highlighted during Sen. Chris Murphy’s (D-CT) Capitol Hillbriefing Tuesday, July 30, 2013.

The great news is that not only Connecticut’s great work over the last two decades will be highlighted. Two additional states, Ohio and Texas, have made strides and experts will share their successes, best practices that other states should adopt. The briefing comes on the heels of a report released this week disclosing a drop in youth crime entitled, “America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2013,” authored by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, of which the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a participating agency.

This great news is also big news; Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Administrator Bob Listenbee will be a featured panelist. This will be the first time he will address congressional staff on juvenile justice issues and advocates in the field are calling on Administrator Listenbee to take the lead in influencing congress to make change in the name of justice.

Don’t remember the slew of reports, articles and resources, including JPI’s two studies on juvenile confinement reduction released this year thus far? Here’s a snippet!

JPI's Common Ground
JPI's Juvenile Justice Reform in Connecticut: How Collaboration and Commitment Have Improved Public Safety and Outcomes for Youth
Annie E. Casey's Kids Count 2013

Texas Pubic Policy Foundation & National Juvenile Justice Network's The Comeback States
New York Times editorial: Better Care for Young Offenders

Zerline is JPI's Director of Communications.