SIGN THE PETITIONS BELOW!
SECOND LOOK
Texas should provide a “second look” to people convicted of crimes before their 18th birthday through earlier parole eligibility.
▪ An early parole hearing can focus on how the person has shown rehabilitation and maturity and consider factors such as childhood trauma and the hallmark features of youth.
▪ This is in line with the national trend moving away from extreme punishments on children and would bring Texas more in line with the rest of the country.
▪ With this policy change, Texas could save between $4 million and $12 million per year following implementation.
▪ By providing an option for early release for rehabilitated, mature individuals, Texas will encourage young offenders to focus on rehabilitation, while saving taxpayer dollars without compromising public safety. This policy will also allow people to fulfill their true potential and become contributing members of the community.
Currently, youth under the age of 18 who commit certain crimes are routinely sentenced to life, with no opportunity for parole for 40 years.
▪ Extreme sentences for youth do no account for the fact that their brains are not fully developed. Tremendous growth and maturity often occur in a person’s late teens through mid-20s.
▪ In part, this lack of maturity is why the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that it is wrong to deny someone who commits a crime under the age of 18 the opportunity to demonstrate rehabilitation.
▪ It costs taxpayers $2.5 million to incarcerate one juvenile for life – an enormous expense considering most such young people should be rehabilitated long before their 40-year parole eligibility date. Current Texas law does not provide a path to redemption for those who can prove that they merit a second chance.
Urge Texas lawmakers to do the right thing and Take a Second Look.
Support a Meaningful Opportunity for Release for Youth Sentenced to Adult Facilities by signing the petition here!
Texas should provide a “second look” to people convicted of crimes before their 18th birthday through earlier parole eligibility.
▪ An early parole hearing can focus on how the person has shown rehabilitation and maturity and consider factors such as childhood trauma and the hallmark features of youth.
▪ This is in line with the national trend moving away from extreme punishments on children and would bring Texas more in line with the rest of the country.
▪ With this policy change, Texas could save between $4 million and $12 million per year following implementation.
▪ By providing an option for early release for rehabilitated, mature individuals, Texas will encourage young offenders to focus on rehabilitation, while saving taxpayer dollars without compromising public safety. This policy will also allow people to fulfill their true potential and become contributing members of the community.
Currently, youth under the age of 18 who commit certain crimes are routinely sentenced to life, with no opportunity for parole for 40 years.
▪ Extreme sentences for youth do no account for the fact that their brains are not fully developed. Tremendous growth and maturity often occur in a person’s late teens through mid-20s.
▪ In part, this lack of maturity is why the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized that it is wrong to deny someone who commits a crime under the age of 18 the opportunity to demonstrate rehabilitation.
▪ It costs taxpayers $2.5 million to incarcerate one juvenile for life – an enormous expense considering most such young people should be rehabilitated long before their 40-year parole eligibility date. Current Texas law does not provide a path to redemption for those who can prove that they merit a second chance.
Urge Texas lawmakers to do the right thing and Take a Second Look.
Support a Meaningful Opportunity for Release for Youth Sentenced to Adult Facilities by signing the petition here!
RAISE THE AGE!
Texas is 1 of 3 states that continues to send youth under the age of 18 to the adult criminal justice system. It is time that Texas recognizes that every parent of a 17-year old intuitively knows-that a 17-year-old is still a kid.
▪ Crime is at an all-time low in Texas, and the vast majority (95%) of 17-year-olds are arrested for nonviolent and misdemeanant behavior. The collateral consequences that these youth endure from remaining under adult criminal jurisdiction- including future barriers to housing and employment that stem from an adult criminal record, as well as potential trauma from exposure to physical and sexual abuse in the adult facilities – outweigh unfounded fears
Raising the age in Texas will expand juvenile jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds promoting a youth justice system that focuses on public safety, rehabilitation, fairness, and social responsibility.
▪ In 2019, over 16,000 17-year-olds were arrested and subjected to Texas’s adult criminal justice system. This is despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of 17-year-old arrests are for non-violent and misdemeanor offenses, such as larceny, possession of marijuana, and violation of liquor laws.
▪ “The Raise the Age Effect” increases overall public safety. As states have raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18 or higher, the arrest rates of 18-20-year-olds have declined by 50% and the arrests of 15-17 olds by 60%, falling much faster than other age groups in the adult systems. Studies also show that youth who avoid the adult justice system are less likely to re-offend.
▪ Studies show that recidivism rates for youth processed through the adult system are far higher than those of comparable youths processed through the juvenile justice system; in fact, a Centers for Disease Control Task Force found that youth were 34% more likely to be rearrested after going through the adult system.
Urge Texas lawmakers to do the right thing and Raise the Age!
Support a Developmentally Appropriate Justice System that Increases Public Safety in Texas by signing the petition here!
Texas is 1 of 3 states that continues to send youth under the age of 18 to the adult criminal justice system. It is time that Texas recognizes that every parent of a 17-year old intuitively knows-that a 17-year-old is still a kid.
▪ Crime is at an all-time low in Texas, and the vast majority (95%) of 17-year-olds are arrested for nonviolent and misdemeanant behavior. The collateral consequences that these youth endure from remaining under adult criminal jurisdiction- including future barriers to housing and employment that stem from an adult criminal record, as well as potential trauma from exposure to physical and sexual abuse in the adult facilities – outweigh unfounded fears
Raising the age in Texas will expand juvenile jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds promoting a youth justice system that focuses on public safety, rehabilitation, fairness, and social responsibility.
▪ In 2019, over 16,000 17-year-olds were arrested and subjected to Texas’s adult criminal justice system. This is despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of 17-year-old arrests are for non-violent and misdemeanor offenses, such as larceny, possession of marijuana, and violation of liquor laws.
▪ “The Raise the Age Effect” increases overall public safety. As states have raised the age of criminal responsibility to 18 or higher, the arrest rates of 18-20-year-olds have declined by 50% and the arrests of 15-17 olds by 60%, falling much faster than other age groups in the adult systems. Studies also show that youth who avoid the adult justice system are less likely to re-offend.
▪ Studies show that recidivism rates for youth processed through the adult system are far higher than those of comparable youths processed through the juvenile justice system; in fact, a Centers for Disease Control Task Force found that youth were 34% more likely to be rearrested after going through the adult system.
Urge Texas lawmakers to do the right thing and Raise the Age!
Support a Developmentally Appropriate Justice System that Increases Public Safety in Texas by signing the petition here!
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voteFor Oak Cliff is an initiative to increase civic engagement and participation in elections while also empowering community members to organize and mobilize around issues affecting the growth and transformation of individuals, families, and communities. To register to vote or join community organizing efforts, email [email protected] to get involved.
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