Juvenile Justice Reform
This action team is dedicated to maintaining public pressure on the Tarrant County Juvenile Board through a variety of impactful efforts, including:
Special Initiatives:
Leading targeted projects, such as Court-Watching, to monitor proceedings and promote fairness.
Public Advocacy:
Delivering comments at Juvenile Board meetings to ensure accountability and transparency.
Direct Communication:
Writing emails and submitting online comments to officials to amplify community concerns.
Collaborative Efforts:
Partnering with advocacy organizations to strengthen our collective voice.
Engagement with Leaders:
Meeting with officials to advocate for meaningful change and improvements.
Thorough Research:
Conducting in-depth analysis to uncover and address critical issues.
“Community Frontline, an east Fort Worth advocacy group, and the Justice Network of Tarrant County, held a press conference Wednesday in support of Youth Advocate Programs. . ‘My heart is broken because this is 2024, we’re fighting a program that has 100% success rate of their kids,’ said Sharon Hines, an Air Force veteran and member of the Justice Network. ‘They go to high school, they get their GEDs, they get jobs. Why would we be against that program? Tarrant County is scary.’”
– Sharon Hines, one of our members
“A first-of-its-kind study of Texas youth involved with the juvenile justice system shows that juveniles under community-based supervision are far less likely to reoffend than youth with very similar profiles who are confined in state correctional facilities.“
Shining a Light on Juvenile Justice
This is vital work. Why rely on a “punishment-first” model for youth whose brains are still developing? Evidence-based alternatives exist—programs that provide the support and resources young people need to turn their lives around. Yet, Tarrant County seems intent on canceling these initiatives, opting instead to send youth to detention centers. Once detained, the path to avoiding a life of incarceration becomes significantly harder.
We need your help. Juvenile justice in Tarrant County has received far too little attention for far too long. Together, we can shine a light on this critical issue and advocate for real change.
Questions?
Contact Katherine Godby
