State & Local Government Policy, Business and Technology

D.C. Council approves policy promoting rehabilitation over jail for juvenile offenders

The Washington Times: The D.C. Council on Tuesday gave unanimous preliminary approval to legislation that would fundamentally change how the District handles juvenile offenders, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.

Council member Kenyan McDuffie, Ward 5 Democrat and chairman of the Judiciary Committee, introduced the Comprehensive Youth Justice Amendment Act of 2016 in April.

“We know that when a young man or woman comes into contact with the justice system, it is often a pivotal moment in their lives,” Mr. McDuffie said. “Whether our young people arrive at the courthouse door because they ran away from home, they are facing potential deportation, they were arrested for a poor decision or because they face adult charges, they stand at a precipice.”

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