State Advocacy Groups and Lawmakers Will Hold a Press Conference to Discuss Real World Solutions to Youth Justice Issues

Hartford, CT (August 4, 2021) - The Connecticut Justice Alliance (CTJA), Tow Youth Justice Institute (TYJI), and the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut (ACLU-CT) along with Connecticut community advocates and lawmakers will converge at the state capitol Friday, August 6, 2021 to discuss data-driven solutions to car thefts and youth crime that don’t center on incarcerating teens.

Connecticut has seen a sharp decline since 1991 in car thefts, break-ins and vandalism committed by youth across the state. Funneling more teens into the system without an actual plan of action to support their specific needs is irresponsible. Implementing harmful blanket policies designed to “crackdown” on youth offenders does not address the root causes of this issue.  

WHAT:
Press conference to discuss and call for data-driven solutions such as investing into Black and Brown communities to address car thefts, youth crime and the over-policing of Black and Brown bodies

WHO:

• Erika Nowakowski, Associate Director of Tow Youth Justice Institute

• Christina Quaranta, Executive Director of the Connecticut Justice Alliance

• Representative Toni Walker, Connecticut House District 93

• Claudine Fox, Public Policy and Advocacy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut (ACLU-CT)

• Michael P. Lawlor, J.D. Associate Professor, Criminal Justice Department Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences

• Iliana Pujols, Policy Director for the Connecticut Justice Alliance

WHEN:
Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m

WHERE:
North Steps of the Capitol
210 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, CT 06106

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ABOUT THE CONNECTICUT JUSTICE ALLIANCE

The Connecticut Justice Alliance (CTJA) is a youth/adult partnership working to end the criminalization of youth. The Alliance works to disrupt and dismantle the pathways that funnel children and youth into the juvenile justice system by using organizing, advocacy, and policy tools to protect the rights, futures, and well-being of potentially, currently, and formerly incarcerated youth, while also ensuring youth who are detained, incarcerated, and involved in the courts and legal systems receive safe, fair, and dignified treatment.  

CTJA was formerly known as the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance.