Discussion Panel - The Alabama Youth Justice Coalition

When we got word that there was going to be a discussion panel on “The Dangers of Trying Children As Adults” (referring to the Adult Justice System), we knew we needed to block out our calendars and attend. The Alabama Youth Justice Coalition hosted this discussion at Alabama State University, and thoughtfully invited the following four leaders to be on the panel: Christy Cain, Executive Director of Alabama Children First, Charlotte Morrison, Senior Staff Attorney at the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), Rick Ward, a youth advocate, and Aylia McKee, Director of the Montgomery Public Defenders.

Here are a few important facts you need to know from it:

• Children from the ages of 14-17 years old are able to be tried in and serve sentences in the Adult (not Juvenile) Justice System.
• Adult jails also do not provide children with appropriate education or rehabilitative services.

Children who are incarcerated in adult prisons and jails are 5 times more likely to experience sexual assault and are 36 times more likely to commit suicide than youth in juvenile facilities.

At Belfry, we care about things going on in our community and advocating for our clients and for human rights. We encourage you to watch this discussion panel and join us in bringing awareness and taking action in these issues.