A bill that would give juveniles sentenced to life without parole in California an opportunity to have their cases reconsidered after 10 years has cleared another hurdle as California moves towards more humane sentencing of juveniles.

Thanks to funding from the Public Welfare Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies, NCYL is expanding its Juvenile Justice Reform Project.  This expansion includes increased involvement in Wyoming and Arkansas, where NCYL is currently working, and the launching of new juvenile justice reform work in other states, including California.

NCYL Senior Attorney Pat Arthur, in collaboration with DYS, has co-authored a report that provides a framework for reform. The report recommends a series of goals, with the focus on reducing reliance on incarceration and increasing community-based programs – programs proven to be far more appropriate and effective for serving youth in trouble. See Report

There is growing public awareness that is it unjust to hold juvenile offenders to the same standard of blame as adults. Scientific research shows that youth do not have the same capacity as adults to use reasoned, mature judgment, or to control impulsive behavior.

Juvenile justice systems around California are awakening to the needs of a new population: girls. As girls enter the delinquency system in ever-increasing numbers, several California counties have established new delinquency courts and treatment programs tailored specifically to girls and their unique issues and needs.

NCYL has forged an innovative partnership with the nation's first Juvenile Mental Health Court - Santa Clara (CA) County's Court for the Individualized Treatment of Adolescents (CITA).