FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 14, 2010
Contact:  Daniel Okonkwo, 734-276-2816

“No Jobs for Youth Act” Sets Dangerous Precedent and Bad Policy for Juvenile Justice

D.C. Coalition Intensifies Efforts to Fight the Bill Before Final Vote

Washington, DC:  A coalition of youth and justice advocates, mental health experts, services providers and community members opposed the “No Jobs for Youth Act” (Expanding Access to Juvenile Records Act of 2010), which was considered by D.C. council members yesterday. The group believes that Phil Mendelson’s bill would damage youths’ ability to secure employment by making many records for youth involved in the juvenile justice system publicly available.  The coalition also argues that the bill sets a dangerous precedent by disclosing information that undermines the rehabilitative principles of the juvenile justice system by robbing youth of the opportunity to get on the right track.

The coalition believes that sound juvenile justice policy includes workforce and academic programs that allow youth to make better choices, and confidentiality provisions which give youth a second chance at making better decisions.  The legislation would make many records for youth involved in the juvenile justice system publicly available.  This bill would also allow officials to share information on youth involved in the juvenile justice system with schools, even if the youth’s only contact with the juvenile justice system was for a minor arrest or even if the arrest did not result in filing charges or a conviction.
 “This fight for good policy and job access isn’t over,” said D.C. Lawyers for Youth executive director, Daniel Okonkwo.  “We’re working with council members to do the right thing for kids and the community.  The council can salvage the bill by striking the most damaging provisions.”

In the first reading of the bill on Tuesday, July 13, council members voted in favor of the Act.  The Youth Justice Project will fight the bill before its second reading in the fall on September 21.