Founded in 2001, The Connecticut Justice Alliance (CTJA - formerly known as the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance - learn why here) is a youth-adult partnership working to end the criminalization of youth. CTJA works to keep children and youth out of the legal system by disrupting and dismantling the pathways that funnel children and youth into courts and prisons.

We also work to make sure youth who are detained, incarcerated, and involved in the courts and legal systems receive safe, fair, and dignified treatment. CTJA uses organizing, advocacy, and policy tools to protect the rights, futures, and well-being of potentially, currently, and formerly incarcerated youth.

We believe in creating tables where youth voices have equal power in creating policies to end the criminalization of youth.

CTJA’s model of youth-adult partnership began in 2017 with the founding of the Justice Advisors (JAs), a group of leaders primarily through 25-years-old that have been impacted by the legal system.

The JAs pursue the primary goal of meaningfully incorporating voices and experiences from those most impacted by the legal system into all discussions around youth justice policy and practice. The JAs and Justice Staff are partners in ending the criminalization of youth.