As graduate students of social work at San Jose State University, we support juvenile justice reform to increase the age for entry to juvenile hall and to increase use of diversion programs for low-level, first time offenders. This topic is on the table in Santa Clara County - let's make our voices heard!

Incarcerating youth has proven to lead to increased gang involvement, criminal activity, recidivism, and involvement in the prison system as an adult, all of which come at a high cost to our state.

Our youth deserve a chance to re-invent themselves while receiving support and guidance, in order to build assets and increase their future chances of success. Please support this cause by signing the petition below!

The petition will be sent to the City Board of Supervisors.

Thank you!!

What We Know:
1. Incarceration at a young age leads to recidivism, gang involvement, and assimilation to prison life.
2. Over 80% of youth in the system in CA are minorities, and they arrested and sentenced at a disproportionate rate.
3. The SCC community has the capacity to build a strong community based rehabilitative system, greatly reducing the need for juvenile detention, as well as the cost!

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