We’ve seen the benefits of raising the age to 17 — a 48 percent reduction in juvenile arrests and a 67 percent drop in the arrest rates of 18- to 20-year-olds, according to data from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Now it’s time to go further.
Gregg Croteau
Posted inCriminal Justice
Gun violence prevention starts with community work
BY THE AGE of 13, Jose had already been arrested for a violent crime. Like so many teenagers, he longed for connection, community, and caring role models. He eventually found […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Criminal justice bill can be game changer for young adults
THE COMMONWEALTH’S criminal justice reform efforts offer a unique opportunity to achieve a triple impact: improve public safety, reduce public spending on crime prevention, and redefine futures for our highest-risk […]
Posted inOpinion, Politics
Candidates address proven-risk youth
This past August, staff and youth from the United Teen Equality Center (UTEC) in Lowell launched our Youth Violence Prevention Policy Series. Gubernatorial candidates visited UTEC and engaged in roundtable […]