YCLJ Perspectives

YCLJ Perspectives Series #1

May 7, 2026

Youth involved in the juvenile justice system experience disproportionately high rates of mental and behavioral health conditions, yet too many are still funneled into courts and detention rather than connected to appropriate care. Research consistently shows that confinement not only fails to address these needs but often worsens them, exacerbating trauma, increasing suicide risk, and contributing to poorer long-term outcomes.

Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice (YCLJ) maintains that unnecessary system involvement and incarceration for youth with mental health needs is both harmful and preventable. Persistent reliance on confinement is driven by gaps in community-based care, inconsistent screening and assessment, limited workforce capacity, and entrenched racial and ethnic disparities.

Community-based treatment, early intervention and trauma-informed practices are more effective and better aligned with public safety and youth wellbeing.

This paper calls for a shift away from incarceration toward evidence-informed, community-centered responses. Key recommendations include preventing unnecessary system involvement, expanding access to community-based treatment, improving screening and assessment, eliminating harmful practices such as isolation, and addressing persistent racial and ethnic disparities. With intentional action, system leaders and policymakers can reduce harm, improve outcomes, and build a more equitable and effective youth justice system. These changes will improve outcomes for youth, strengthen communities, and enhance public safety.

Read the full perspective, Ending the Harm: Rethinking Youth Justice Responses to Mental and Behavioral Health Needs.

YCLJ Perspectives Series #2

Issued in recognition of Gun Violence Awareness Month, June, 2026

June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals, families, and communities and to elevate solutions that save lives.

Youth gun violence remains a serious concern, but public perception often exaggerates the role of young people in violent crime. Although youth violence increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, youth violence has declined substantially over the last two decades. A relatively small number of youth account for a disproportionate share of serious violence, yet highly publicized incidents continue to fuel calls for more punitive responses.

Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice (YCLJ) believes that public safety is best achieved through focused, evidence-informed interventions that identify and intensively engage youth at the highest risk of involvement in gun violence. Approaches such as the Gun Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), developed by the National Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (NICJR), demonstrate that communities can reduce violence while supporting positive youth development and avoiding unnecessary incarceration.

By investing in data-driven identification, intensive life coaching, family engagement, and community-based supports, jurisdictions can save lives, strengthen communities, and create pathways for young people to thrive.

Read the full perspective, Ending Youth Gun Violence: Focused Interventions, Safer Communities, Better Outcomes.