The Forgotten Ones: New Jersey’s Locked-up Girls

http://jjie.org/2017/03/08/the-forgotten-ones-new-jerseys-locked-up-girls/

This article discusses the high numbers of girls in the juvenile justice system. Years ago, there was a school specifically for black students in New Jersey, but that school was torn down when Brown v. Board of Education came about in 1954. Now, where that school once stood, stands a youth prison for girls. The article discusses the literal “school-to-prison pipeline” created.

This article also shares the numbers of this problem. Although white and black youth commit crimes at about the same rates, black girls are three times as likely as their white girl peers to be referred to court for delinquency. 75% of the girls in juvenile facilities in New Jersey are black or Hispanic. Lastly, youth prisons are currently costing New Jersey over $25 million/year to operate.

Lastly, what can be done about this? The article talks about the fact that over 90% of juvenile female offenders have experienced some sort of abuse in their lives. Instead of locking them up, which has not been shown to reduce recidivism rates, better options include trauma-informed care and other support. Keeping these girls in their homes and focusing on prevention and diversion tailored to their individual needs is much more helpful, and cost-effective, than housing them in prisons.

As social workers, this article reminds us to not forget about those youth girls who are locked up. We must continue to advocate for them, and remember they are an important part of society. I agree with the article – it would be much more effective to help get these girls the support they need instead of sending them off to prison. Not only is it more cost effective, but it helps the girls individually in the long run. It would reduce recidivism rates, and ensure their lives include more than offending and being sent back to prison. These are important things to remember when we continue our careers – advocate and inform. Inform those community members of issues such as these, and continue to remember those effected by the racist policies in the US. Issues such as these bring awareness to the school-to-prison pipeline and ensure we continue fighting to eliminate it.