Frequently Asked Questions about the Latino Juvenile Justice Network

The responses included in this document were compiled by the Latino Juvenile Justice Network (LJJN) to inform the public about its efforts to create a justice system that is responsive to the needs of all children.

What is the Latino Juvenile Justice Network (LJJN)?

The LJJN is a project of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). It is a Latino-specific model for juvenile justice reform. The LJJN is a long-term, multistate juvenile justice reform effort based in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Washington, and Louisiana. It is a component of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Models for Change Initiative, which seeks to develop a comprehensive framework for a model juvenile justice system that can be replicated in other states.

What is the goal of the LJJN?

Our goal is to create a system that is fair and responsive to the needs of all children, and takes into account the cultural and linguistic needs of Latino children. We also want to ensure that there are programs that address the root causes of youth crime and violence, and provide the proper guidance and support for youth to become community assets. This includes alternatives to incarceration; substance abuse and mental health treatment; educational support/mentoring; and job-skills training.

Who makes up the LJJN?

The LJJN is comprised of NCLR Affiliates, community-based organizations, community leaders, youth, and parents who care about making the juvenile justice system a just system that provides youth with a second chance to become productive members of society.

Aside from Latino community-based organizations, who else is the LJJN working with?

We work side by side with national, state, and local juvenile justice experts; policy-makers; justice system personnel, including police, judges, probation officers; prosecutors and defense attorneys; and social service providers.

How does the LJJN work in different states?

The LJJN comes together as a partnership of local organizations that works on public education, advocacy, and media outreach around juvenile justice reform issues. The juvenile justice system is large and complex, which is why the LJJN keeps a deep focus in making lasting improvements to the justice system.

How many LJJN sites are there?

Currently, there are five LJJN sites which include: • Philadelphia, PA • Reading, PA • Chicago, IL • Seattle, WA • “Tri-Cities,” WA– 2007

How will the LJJN bring about juvenile justice reform?

The LJJN will utilize different strategies and approaches for juvenile justice reform through the following mechanisms: advocacy, media outreach, community education and mobilization, and research and policy analysis. The LJJN gives Latino advocates the opportunity to provide recommendations on how best to address the needs of Latino youth in the system so that they become productive members of society.

What issues does the LJJN address?

The LJJN has identified four core issues that affect the Latino youth the most. These include: • Disproportionate Minority Contact, which is the overrepresentation of Latino youth in all stages of the system from arrest to secure confinement. • Anti-gang laws that target Latino youth and punish them more harshly than their White counterparts. • Transfer/waiver of youth into the adult system including jails and prisons. This is also known as “Adultification.” • Treatment and support programs which include mental health, substance abuse, education, and reintegration services for youth returning to the community after confinement. Each LJJN will identify which of these four issues they will work on, depending on which are most critical to their community.

How is the LJJN making change?

The LJJN is reaching out to the broader Latino community to raise public awareness about these issues. We want to ignite the hope that change is possible, and encourage the participation of social service providers, youth, and parents in our efforts. We are sponsoring community events and reaching out to the media to demonstrate that the Latino community cares about what happens to children when they enter and exit the juvenile justice system. We are providing leadership and advocacy trainings for CBOs and community leaders who are concerned about the current juvenile justice system and want to join us in making positive reform a reality. We are participating in key juvenile justice reform dialogues that have the ability to change the way Latino children are treated by the juvenile justice system so that their outcomes improve as they leave the system.

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