Citizens for Juvenile Justice

06/18/2026

Massachusetts residents deserve to know what happens when police are in our children’s schools.

Massachusetts state law requires schools to report every time a student is arrested, cited, or referred to court in school, but few schools actually report the data. Current law, as passed in 2020, requires the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to issue regulations to guide schools in reporting this information, a requirement the Department has so far ignored. You are invited to sign a petition for students, parents, educators and advocates asking DESE to follow the law and guide schools in collecting and reporting this information.

Review and sign the petition by June 23! Learn more here:

Email from Citizens for Juvenile Justice Deadline June 23rd Massachusetts state law requires schools to report every time a student is arrested, cited, or referred to court in school, but few schools

06/17/2026

"The United States has a special justice system for people under age 18. But youth can be tried in adult courts and go to adult jails and prisons for certain crimes.

The youth justice system was created because young people are different from adults. The part of the brain that helps control emotions and actions doesn’t finish developing until your mid-20s. Research shows that most people who commit crimes in their youth grow out of this behavior as they mature.

For this reason, juvenile courts and detention centers are designed to protect young people and help them return to normal life. That’s supposed to be balanced with holding young people accountable in ways that reflect their age and degree of maturity."

There’s a separate justice system for people under 18 because their brains are still developing. Treating them as adults can turn them into repeat offenders.

06/17/2026

Do you believe we should examine the role of police in schools? This is your opportunity to share your experiences and perspectives with the Commission. https://www.doe.mass.edu/sfs/sro-mou-commission/

The goal of the Massachusetts public K-12 education system is to prepare all students for success after high school. Massachusetts public school students are leading the nation in reading and math and are at the top internationally in reading, science, and math according to the national NAEP and int...

06/15/2026

We are honored to share that CfJJ has received a $25,000 grant from The Philanthropy Connection (TPC) as part of its 2026 grantmaking initiative.

We are deeply grateful to TPC for investing in organizations working to advance justice, opportunity, and belonging across Greater Boston.

Thank you to our staff, partners, and community for making this work possible!

06/12/2026

While girls make up a smaller proportion of those in the system than boys, there are emerging trends showing increased system involvement and the need for more focused, gender responsive support services to address girl’s needs in the Commonwealth. These trends in legal system involvement also intersect with longstanding racial disparities, as youth of color overall remain disproportionately impacted across systems. Check out our blog to learn more, cfjj.org/cfjj-blog/the-state-of-girls-in-massachusetts-youth-serving-systems

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Massachusetts State House yesterday to advocate for Raise the Age!

Massachusetts legislators are currently debating a bill to Raise the Age (S.1061) to end the automatic prosecution of older adolescents under age 21 as adults and shift them to the juvenile justice system. After 10 years of pursuing this reform, we are closer than ever but can't get there without continued support. Visit cfjj.org/raise-the-age-lobby-day-2026 for resources on meeting with your legislators in-district, including a legislative packet and information on how to schedule a meeting.

06/09/2026

Check out this month's 'Garden of Connection' newsletter from CfJJ's Community Engagement coordinator, with youth justice events happening across the Commonwealth!

Song of the Month: “Chances” - Kaytranada ft Shay Lia

06/09/2026

Join us TOMORROW at the State House for the Raise the Age Lobby Day! We will be meeting with Massachusetts State Representatives and asking for their support for the Raise the Age bill (S. 1061). Please join us and encourage your friends to come as well! Learn more and register at cfjj.org/raise-the-age-lobby-day-2026

06/08/2026

Despite persistent claims that the juvenile justice system isn't "tough enough" on crime, the evidence tells a different story.

The data is consistent: juvenile justice policies that have often been unfairly criticized have nonetheless measurably reduced crime. While misconceptions are often fueled by the confidentiality of juvenile court proceedings, research shows that the system's focus on addressing the underlying causes of offending behavior is more effective at reducing reoffending than punitive approaches alone.

Learn more about the key differences between the juvenile and adult justice systems as highlighted by the Sentencing Project with additional Massachusetts-specific context provided by CfJJ: https://conta.cc/4v0WGae

Join us Wednesday to support Raise the Age: https://www.cfjj.org/raise-the-age-lobby-day-2026

"Youth Courts vs. Adult Courts: Why the Juvenile Justice System Works Better", The Sentencing Project: https://www.sentencingproject.org/policy-brief/youth-courts-vs-adult-courts-why-the-juvenile-justice-system-works-better/