May 10, 2017

Juvenile Justice Campaign Manager Retha Onitiri released this statement on Mother’s Day:

“Mother’s Day, marked by flowers and homemade cards for some, is now, for hundreds of mothers in our state, a visceral reminder that their children are incarcerated in a youth prison – receiving an adult punishment when they are still children. The Institute and Youth Justice New Jersey are working to ensure that youth prisons are tossed on the ‘dust heap of history,’ and that we replace this archaic model with community-based programs and, when necessary, secure, child-centered, rehabilitative settings.”