Nothing About Us Without Us! the Failure of the Modern Juvenile Justice System and a Call for Community-Based Justice

Abstract

The modern juvenile justice system is failing our society. A literature review reveals resounding criticism of the system at all points — arrest, court processing/litigation, and incarceration. The current system does not effectively reduce recidivism, is wrought with racial disparities, operates with a minimal degree of cultural competence, violates human rights laws and norms, and fails to empower and reform individuals who are directly affected. Traditional juvenile justice shatters social bonds and does not hold governmental agencies accountable for wrongdoing or ineffectiveness. Statistical studies show that community-based approaches more effectively reduce crime, cost less, are more empowering and culturally competent, help ameliorative civic fragmentation, and are more socially responsible.

Keywords: juvenile justice, delinquent, criminal, school to prison pipeline, system failure, police brutality, recidivism, human rights, racial, community empowerment, organizing