Ending the Practice of Trying and Incarcerating Youth in the Adult Criminal System
California

Each year, nearly 1,000 California youth are prosecuted, sentenced and incarcerated as adults, despite research and legal holdings finding youth to be especially capable of rehabilitation. Together with key partners, NCYL is leading a campaign that ensures California’s justice system treats youth in a manner appropriate for their age, cognitive development and ability to change. This campaign addresses closing pathways to the adult system as well as creating meaningful opportunities for release of prisoners serving lengthy sentences for crimes committed as youth.