A Need for Correction: Reforming New York’s Juvenile Justice System

A Child Welfare Watch Forum.

The federal Department of Justice has threatened to take over the state’s juvenile justice system because of incidents of staff violence and inadequate psychiatric care for mentally ill children in custody. Will the state and city improve mental health services and conditions of confinement for juvenile delinquents? Child Welfare Watch released its latest report, examining alternatives to incarceration that supervise children in their homes and communities, outlining possible reforms in detention and incarceration—and exploring whether the federal action may open the door to more sweeping change.

Participants: Larry Busching, Chief, Family Court Division, New York City Law Department John Ruiz, OCFS Youth Counselor and Executive Board Member of Public Employees Federation Sylvia Rowlands, Director, Blue Sky Program, New York Foundling William Scarborough, Member, New York State Assembly Tamara Steckler, Attorney-in-charge, Legal Aid Society Juvenile Rights Division

Moderator: Andrew White, Director, Center for New York City Affairs

[youtube width="640" height="360"]http://youtu.be/C8KgW5IoZ-I[/youtube]

Supported by the Child Welfare Fund, the Ira W. DeCamp Foundation, the Viola W. Bernard Foundation, the Sirus Fund, and the Milano Foundation.