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Press Releases
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House-Passed "Gangs Bill" Would Increase Youth Violence |
The Children's Defense Fund (CDF) expresses deep dismay as the U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 1279, a regressive and draconian "gangs bill." The bill has met a chorus of opposition from experts, lawmakers and advocates who argue the bill will only make problems worse, not better.
The bill increases the likelihood that youth are prosecuted as adults, expands the reach of the death penalty and creates new mandatory minimum sentences. It gives federal prosecutors the right to prosecute youths as adults, without a hearing before a judge as is currently required. Moreover, the youth has no remedy under H.R. 1279, there is no right to appeal the decision to prosecute a youth as an adult.
"This bill flies in the face of established research about what works in preventing youth crime," said Morna Murray, Co-Director of Education and Youth Development for CDF. "Research shows that trying youth as adults exacerbates rather than lessens crime. If we want solutions that work, we should be providing resources to the states to implement programs that have proven effective. Instead, we are wasting scarce resources on a federal response that is not only misplaced, but will actually worsen youth violence."
The research conclusively shows that prosecuting young people as adults does not reduce youth crime. Instead, it increases youth crime. Jails and prisons are crime schools. Research shows that young people prosecuted as adults, in comparison to those prosecuted as juveniles, are more likely to: (a) commit a greater number of crimes upon release; (b) commit more violent crimes upon release; and (c) commit crimes sooner upon release.
Research also shows that, in comparison to youth held in juvenile facilities, young people incarcerated with adults are: five times as likely to be sexually assaulted by other inmates; twice as likely to be beaten by staff; 50% more likely to be assaulted with a weapon; and 8 times as likely to commit suicide.
"At a time when many states have responded to the research by raising the age of adulthood for prosecuting youths, the federal government is moving in the opposite direction," said Murray. "This bill is not only a rebuke to research, but also to the long-held preference for the supremacy of state interests when it comes to juvenile crime. It may provide a sound bite for politicians looking for quick and easy strategies but, unfortunately for young people and communities everywhere, it will not reduce gang violence in this country."
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The mission of the Children's Defense Fund is to Leave No Child Behind and to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities. CDF provides a strong, effective voice for all the children of America who cannot vote, lobby, or speak for themselves. We pay particular attention to the needs of poor and minority children and those with disabilities. CDF educates the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick, into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown. CDF began in 1973 and is a private, nonprofit organization supported by foundation and corporate grants and individual donations. We have never taken government funds. |
