Each April, organizations, individuals and even states across the country work to raise awareness about the barriers faced by those with a criminal record by recognizing Second Chance Month. But adult former offenders are not the only people impacted by the stigma of a criminal record.

Black youth are disproportionately criminalized in our current, modern juvenile justice system. They are five times as likely to be incarcerated compared to white youth, according to data collected by The Sentencing Project from as recently as 2023. The reasons why are not a mystery: there is bias embedded deep in the foundations of the system. But, how did these patterns develop? How has this country’s history influenced the way Black youth are treated today? Where do we go

It’s been a year since Michigan took a bold step forward in juvenile justice reform by enacting the Justice for Kids and Communities legislative package. This piece starts a new series highlighting the progress, challenges, and long-term vision of these reforms, as well as how communities across Michigan are bringing them to life.

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director I recently took a journey—one that was both deeply personal and professionally illuminating—across some of America’s most pivotal civil rights landmarks. This trip was possible thanks to support from the Campaign for Criminal Justice Transparency (CCJT), a Kalamazoo-based group dedicated to fostering transparency and engaging conversations between the community and those in positions of power. As an African American who has always been pass

We are excited to bring back our Board Member Spotlight this fall. This month, we are highlighting Pura Strong, who describes herself as a devoted woman of faith, driven by an eager desire to ignite positive change in the lives of others. As a fierce leader, she dedicates her time to advocating for youth and families directly impacted by the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, both of which she experienced as a young person. Along with being a relatively new addition

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director October marks Youth Justice Action Month (YJAM), a time when advocates nationwide raise awareness and inspire action for young people impacted by the justice system. This year, YJAM holds special significance here in Michigan, as October 1 marks the implementation of transformative juvenile justice reforms introduced through the Justice for Youth and Communities bill package, signed into law in December 2023. These reforms not only reflect

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director In a landmark move, Michigan has become the first state in the nation to officially acknowledge kinship caregivers with the same level of financial assistance and licensing requirements as traditional foster care providers. This pioneering reform aims to simplify the process for kin caregivers, allowing them to more readily obtain the aid necessary to support the children in their care. Such measures are especially crucial for those childre

This month’s Board Member Spotlight features Dave Bartek, who currently serves as an independent consultant in both the nonprofit and private sectors. This allows him to share his long and deep experience in leadership, employee engagement, strategic development, and business planning, along with team and individual coaching. Dave has held multiple and varied leadership positions over the last 25 years, coaching and mentoring on the finer points of leadership style and appro

By: Denita Dorsey, Outreach and Advocacy Manager As I navigate this role as Outreach and Advocacy Manager, I reflect on the significance of this opportunity and its responsibility. Working in the realm of juvenile justice is not merely about implementing policies; it's about upholding core values that prioritize the well-being and rights of our youth and their families. First and foremost, let’s address the term “core values.” Core values to MCYJ are the fundamental beliefs a

*Note: The material that is mentioned in this interview may be triggering to some individuals. Topics include gun violence, familial loss, and wrongful conviction. Please take care of yourself and proceed with caution as you read. We are excited to share our second Board Member Spotlight, a blog series that showcases the incredible individuals who make up MCYJ’s board of directors. This month features Ronald Simpson-Bey, a national leader in the movement to decarcerate Americ

We are excited to share our first Board Member Spotlight, a blog series created to showcase the inspiring individuals who make up MCYJ’s board of directors. This month features Paul Elam PhD, the Chief Strategy Officer for the Michigan Public Health Institute, or MPHI, a Michigan-based nonprofit focused on developing solutions to critical public health needs. In his role, Dr. Elam is responsible for helping to diversify MPHI’s portfolio to address cutting-edge issues that aff

We are excited to add our first Youth Justice Advocate Profile to highlight the incredible individuals, alongside MCYJ, trying to make a lasting impact for youth in Michigan. This month we’re featuring an interview with Deshawn Leeth, the founder and executive director of Under Dawg Nation (UDN), a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk youth who lack resources to help prevent violence and disengagement from school. His passion and dedication have led to the creation of innov

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Adolescence is frequently marked by impulsive actions, a propensity for taking risks, and a heightened influence of peers — traits that can sometimes lead to unlawful behavior. However, as young people mature, they typically grow out of such behaviors. This is referred to as "desistance", the process through which individuals reduce and eventually cease offending. Recognizing the differences between adol

By: Jennifer Peacock, Policy Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice On Tuesday, May 23, the Michigan Center for Youth Justice partnered with the Walker Institute at Western Michigan University to provide support to the second cohort of Juvenile Justice Fellows in Lansing, Michigan. This year-long program is designed to empower youth and families who have direct or indirect involvement in the juvenile justice system by equipping them with the necessary tools to become a

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Last year, MCYJ worked to move our key policy priorities forward to transform the lives of Michigan children, youth, young adults, and their families. While the Debt-Free Justice bill package–that would put to an end the assessment and collection of most juvenile court fines and fees–did not advance in the previous legislative session, we are optimistic and ready for 2023. Through the efforts of the Task

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Diversion is a community-led approach founded on principles of youth well-being and restorative justice that serves as a successful alternative to traditional court involvement. In most cases, diversion programs cost less, are more effective at reducing recidivism, and avoid the harms that could result from formal court supervision. While most communities in Michigan offer some form of diversion from ju

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Research has demonstrated that youth involved in the juvenile justice system significantly benefit from community-based services. A report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation revealed that youth placed in community-oriented programs have a higher chance of graduating high school, securing employment, and avoiding re-arrest compared to those in residential facilities. In contrast, placement in juvenile justi

By; Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Juvenile court debt reform has become a priority in Michigan and across the country, as the realization dawns that these fees are inconsistently imposed, fiscally ineffective, and disproportionately impact families of color. They also exacerbate poverty for indigent families. In Michigan, juvenile courts have the authority to charge various fees in delinquency proceedings, but these discretionary fees ar

By: Jason Smith, Executive Director at Michigan Center for Youth Justice Quality legal representation is a fundamental right, particularly in the juvenile justice system, where the futures of young people hang in the balance. Regrettably, the indigent defense system in Michigan is letting justice-involved youth down, especially those from low-income families who can't afford a lawyer. The current system poses serious challenges that negatively impact the constitutional rights