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Summit Presents Latest Research on Criminal Justice Issues

On June 21-22, Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) hosted, “Violent Crime-Prevention and Solutions from the Experts,” which gathered researchers, policy advocates, and practitioners to discuss criminal justice issues including race, juvenile delinquency, law enforcement, punishment, and reentry.  Two panels focused on issues relevant to human service and youth development fields.

During the “Juvenile Justice Reform and Early Intervention and Prevention” panel, a group of experts discussed the status of the juvenile justice system, enforcement, and effectiveness of early intervention efforts.  Jason Zeidenberg, Director of the Justice Policy Institute, identified the role detention plays in “aggravating recidivism” among youth.  Zeidenberg argued that the juvenile justice system must make every effort to keep youth out of detention and with their families.  Alfred Blumstein, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, contended that current drug enforcement laws are ineffective at reducing the supply of drugs and concomitantly have a disparate impact on black men.  Nancy Gannon Hornberger, Executive Director of the Coalition for Juvenile Justice, explained that mental health problems and behavioral health issues are often expressed as delinquency.  Hornberger urged that delinquency prevention efforts must be responsive to the mental health needs of youth.

Another panel, “Beyond Lengthy Incarceration: Effective Punishment and Reentry into the Community,” focused on alternatives to punitive measures in the justice system and on necessary supports for ex-offenders’ reentry into the community. Experts discussed the high levels of drug abuse within incarcerated populations and asked for a public health approach to the provision of drug treatment services. Notably, strong pleas for repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing laws were made, with Julie Stewart, President of Families Against Mandatory Minimums, highlighting historic, bi-partisan action against similar legislation in the 1970s. Drug courts were cited as a viable alternative to harsh impunity, although concern was expressed over the surrendering of civil liberties frequently mandated by these courts. The need for reentry services was explored through the lens of employment, restorative justice, and opportunities for ex-offenders to engage in service-learning.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), cited by Rep. Scott as a “long-time advocate for mental health”, was in attendance and offered a passionate speech on the potential of drug courts, on the connections between foster care and the juvenile justice system, and on the degree to which the criminal justice system and mental health system are intertwined.

For a detailed agenda of the summit including a full list of speakers, see http://www.house.gov/scott/pdf/crimesummit.pdf

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