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NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Mandy Simon, (202) 675-2312; media@dcaclu.org

House Judiciary Committee Passes Pivotal Juvenile Justice Legislation

Youth PROMISE Act Now Heads to House Floor

WASHINGTON

A
bipartisan bill to combat youth violence was passed by the House
Judiciary Committee today. The bill, H.R. 1064, would fund prevention
and intervention programs that are comprehensive, community-centered
and evidence-based efforts to combat gangs and youth violence. The
Youth Prison, Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention,
Support and Education Act, known as "Youth PROMISE," is sponsored by
Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA) and currently has over
230 cosponsors. The bill will now head to the floor for a final House
vote.

The following can be attributed to Jennifer Bellamy, American Civil Liberties Union Legislative Counsel:

"The
Youth PROMISE Act ensures that our children are not simply funneled
into juvenile and adult criminal justice systems by creating prevention
strategies for dealing with the complex problem of youth crime.
Continuing to lock up our at-risk youth is not only socially and
financially damaging to America, but it also compounds our country's
existing problem of over-incarceration.

"This
bill addresses the underlying root causes of youth violence and gang
activity and offers real solutions to real problems facing many
American families. By focusing on prevention and intervention, the
Youth PROMISE Act recognizes the importance of keeping young Americans
out of the criminal justice system and in school in order to lead
productive, fulfilling lives. We urge the House to pass the Youth
PROMISE Act as quickly as possible."

To read the ACLU's letter of support for the Youth PROMISE Act, go to: www.aclu.org/crimjustice/juv/38839leg20090226.html

The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

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