Physical and sexual abuse of youth in Pennsylvania detention and treatment centers is widespread, according to investigations by news organizations and lawsuits. More than 200 suits have been filed in the past year alone, some of which name state-run centers... McEvoy, Hood, and other advocates want the legislature to create an Office of Child Advocate that can independently investigate suspected abuse in state facilities.
Samantha Melamed and Jesse Bunch, The Philadelphia Inquirer •
State regulators revoked the license of Philadelphia’s juvenile detention facility this week — reissuing it on a provisional basis only — after a riot broke out during a boxing event there in January, endangering children, officials said.
A regional push is gaining momentum as leaders from Berks, Dauphin, and Lehigh counties ask the state for $19 million to reopen a youth detention center in Leesport. The plan would bring 30 beds to a renovated facility that’s been closed since 2012.
Black Chronicle News Service, The Black Chronicle •
(The Center Square) – House Democrats are once again making the attempt to turn 2021 recommendations from the bipartisan, bicameral Juvenile Justice Task Force into legislative action.
Richard is joined by Marsha Levick, co-founder and chief legal officer of the Juvenile Law Center. She discussed the organization's 50-year history advocating for children in the justice and child welfare systems and emphasized the need for better legal support and parole board practices.
The Juvenile Law Center co-founder has spent 50 years advocating for the rights of youth in the legal system, taking on corrupt judges, changing policy and contributing to victories in the U.S. Supreme Court.
In 2005, Riya Saha Shah started her legal career as a fellow with the Philadelphia-based Juvenile Law Center, a venerated 50-year-old nonprofit litigation and advocacy group. Two decades later, she will lead the organization that gave her that start.
“It’s often very easy to see what’s right in front of you and to make a difference in the space where you currently live,” says Dr. Alexis A. Thompson. “But if we’re able and willing to step out just a little bit and to see that we are global citizens, that we have the possibilities of having an impact in our lifetime around the world, perhaps in the lives of [those] we’ll never meet — to be daring enough and bold enough to actually think that we can do that is a real privilege.”
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