LWVPA Position on Social Policy Child Health and Welfare
Position in Brief
Promote the physical, emotional, and mental health and welfare of children and youth.
Juvenile Justice
Position in Brief: LWVPA supports legal procedures, and institutional processes that are evidence-based at every step, that prioritize diversion and community-based intervention when a significant threat to persons does not exist, and that keep youth out of home no longer than the timeframe supported by research. The accountability of the juvenile justice system should be strengthened with particular attention to reducing inequities.
Position in Detail:
Research has found that two-thirds of adjudicated youth in residential placement enter the juvenile justice system for misdemeanors or failure to pay fines. Services for youth in their homes are generally more effective and far less costly than residential placement which can be as much as $190,000 per youth per year. The system also demonstrates large racial disparities, with removal from home and prosecution as adults much more likely for Black Non-Hispanic youth, especially boys.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania believes that youth with low-level cases should be diverted to community-based interventions rather than enter into formal delinquency proceedings. To support this, alternative services should be expanded and adequately funded. Written allegations against youth based on failure to pay Magisterial District Court fines should be prohibited.
Residential placement should be limited to youth who pose a threat to themselves, others or the community. Placement should ensure evidence-based treatment, with the length of such placements consistent with timeframes established by research.
Accountability and oversight should ensure that every child or youth placed in the custody of the Commonwealth is safe, treated equitably, and receives a quality education.
To support a successful transition to adulthood, records of involvement in the juvenile justice system should be expunged for youth who have met their legal requirements.
System oversight should include enhanced data collection and wider representation of oversight bodies to monitor and address system inequities.
Personnel dealing with juveniles should have training in DEI, human relations and child development. Interdisciplinary training should be encouraged to increase effective collaboration and cooperation among programs and facilities.
Updated October 2009
Updated June 2023