A new report by the Campaign for Youth Justice, a nationwide initiative focused on removing youth from the adult criminal justice system, demonstrates failures in keeping youth housed in adult prisons safe. Specifically, the report focuses on states’ compliance to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), which provides that youthful inmates (youth under age 18) be housed separately from adult inmates in order to protect them from sexual victimization. Although a handful of states have adjusted their policies to comply with PREA, the majority of states still house youthful inmates with the adult population, often with no special rules or considerations.

Co-housing of youth and adult inmates contribute to the alarming rates of sexual victimization of youth, which is detrimental to their safety and wellbeing. In addition, the report states that youth who are housed with adult inmates are more likely to recidivate than youth who are transferred to the juvenile justice system. It is also important to note that youth of color, including African-American, Latino, and tribal youth, are disproportionately represented in adult prisons, placing them at greater risk for the harmful consequences of co-housing youth and adults in prison.

CYFJ also presents some recommendations to keep youth out of adult prisons, including the development of state laws prohibiting the practice and encouraging youth placement in juvenile justice facilities. Consistent with these recommendations are current efforts to return 17-year-old, non-violent, first-time offenders to the juvenile justice system. Keeping 17 year olds in the juvenile justice system, and out of adult prisons, will go a long way in protecting youth and ensuring they get the Second Chance they deserve.

By Karissa Propson