Why rehabilitation is far better than jailing youth

Posted on October 12, 2017

In 2004, New Jersey began an effort to reduce the number of youth unnecessarily or inappropriately placed in county detention, while protecting public safety and ensuring youth appear for court dates.
Known as JDAI, the NJ Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative became a national model for other states.
The results:
  • A more than 60% reduction in the average daily detention population
  • The closure of 8 county detention centers

Still, too many youth get locked up without receiving effective treatment in their communities. Rehabilitation and prevention yield far better results.

Show your support for funding community alternatives instead of locking up youth.
  • Send a tweet to the gubernatorial candidates!
  • Share ACNJ’s infographic highlighting racial disparities in the juvenilejustice system: