[Release] Youth to Storm Capitol on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Verbatim from the Mississippi Coalition for the Prevention of Schoolhouse to Jailhouse:
What: Over 200 youth will rally in support of juvenile justice and school discipline reform in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Chairman George Flaggs, Jr, and Senator John Horhn are confirmed speakers. They will join other lawmakers and hundreds of children from across the state to rally in support of 2007 legislation that closes the pipeline leading Mississippi?s children from the school house to the jailhouse.
When: Monday, January 15, 2007 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm
? Where: Mississippi State Capitol, South steps (Rain location: Capitol Rotunda)
? Why: Despite two years of substantial reforms, too many of Mississippi?s children languish in prisons and jails.? Many of our young people are pushed out of school by disparate discipline policies. This rally is in support of critical reforms that will improve the systems created to support Mississippi?s families:
$5 Million for Community Based Alternatives to Incarceration. An appropriation of $5 million will allow us to develop 25 regional, localized sanctions that will divert 1,500 children from the training schools?saving the state approximately $25 million.
The Juvenile Transfer Act of 2007: There is no justice in treating a 13 year old child as if he were a 30 year old man. This important piece of legislation ensures that state resources are not wasted incarcerating children with adult offenders and allows some children a second chance at life?if they?ve been successfully rehabilitated.
Defending Children: Mississippi?s court involved children can?t navigate the complicated court process with the assistance of skilled, well-resourced legal defense counsel. Simple changes to the youth court statute and the creation of a Youth Court Defense Standards Council will help improve the administration of justice in our youth courts.
Evidenced-Based School Discipline Policies: National research shows that the best school discipline policies are grounded in research and developed to achieve positive outcomes for both teachers and students. School districts should be required to incorporate such tactics into discipline policies.
Posted by ladd at 02:29 PM in Legislature, Education, Releases | Email this entry
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