Juvenile Law Center youth advocates and Pennsylvania lawmakers convene in Harrisburg to push for comprehensive juvenile justice reform
Young people also shared their report Broken Promises: Futures Denied, which details the harms of the Commonwealth’s juvenile detention system
Harrisburg, PA (June 17, 2025) – Youth advocates from Juvenile Law Center joined with General Assembly representatives to hold a press conference and share the dire need for comprehensive juvenile justice reform in the Commonwealth. Specifically, they were pushing for swift passage of the CARE package, a set of bills to reform the state’s juvenile justice system, which came out of the Governor-appointed Juvenile Justice Taskforce recommendations in June 2021. Additionally, they were pushing for a legislatively created statewide Office of the Child Advocate.
The CARE package includes legislation sponsored by State Rep. Anthony Bellmon (D-Phila) to reduce the time youth spend in confinement.
“Right now, many young people in Pennsylvania’s juvenile corrections system are having their time wasted as time they sit in facilities waiting for a bed, and that time waiting is not counted toward their sentence,” Bellmon said. “This wait time can take as long as 18 months. We must end this unacceptable, unjust and cruel practice in our commonwealth. Our bill does just that while still promoting public safety.”
The House Children & Youth Committee also heard several other bills today relating to youth in the justice system, centered around safer facilities. State Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester) is sponsoring three of these.
“Today, three bills of mine that will address some of the challenges facing youth in the system passed out of the Children & Youth Committee,” said Rep. Shusterman. “I am thankful to Chair McNeill for moving these bills forward and out of committee. I am hopeful that these bills will next see a vote on the House floor.”
In addition to pushing for the bills, youth advocates shared excepts and recommendations from Broken Promises: Futures Denied, the second edition of Broken Bridges, which was published six years ago. This report includes direct stories from youth about the neglect and harms they experienced in the juvenile justice system and in placement facilities. At the end of the publication, they offer recommendations for changes to better serve youth in Pennsylvania.
“We urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to swiftly pass legislation for juvenile justice reform - kids in Pennsylvania deserve better and can’t wait any longer for needed change,” said Bree Hood, Stoneleigh Youth Advocacy Fellow from Juvenile Law Center.
Youth advocates, Juvenile Law Center staff, and Pennsylvania lawmakers who spoke at the press conference are available for interview and comment.
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