Newsletter Q1 | Page 6

F . I . R . E .

NEWSLETTER Quarter 3 , 2016

Encouragement for

Encouragement for our our Teens & Youth

Teens & Youth

Far too many of our youth still today are caught-up in the criminal justice system . It is as if they are matriculating juvenile offender to misdemeanor offender to felony offender and their final degree , life behind bars . Bad decisions can limit your options . Our youth cannot see beyond their circumstances which limits what they choose to do . Our youth are overwhelmed by circumstances that are everyday tasks for others . The ability to follow through , to stand on their own feet , to be responsible for their own food and clothes , to maintain and be consistent are skills that plague our youth , If they are not used to this they cave in to the pressure to revert back to the “ hustle ” they had because it ’ s what they know and are comfortable doing . So the cycle continues . There is a lack of perspective .

Juveniles that are raised in homes that lack any form of parental guidance look elsewhere to fill the void .

Two-thirds of released prisoners are rearrested within three years of release .

When these symptoms of neglect are exhibited , our youth are ‘ rehabilitated ’ or punished in the system .

Young people need an alternative . Oh yes , jail and they get out where do they go ? Right back into the environment they know best . They need a replacement .

Putting A Halt To The Revolving Door That Keeps Our Youth In The Criminal Justice System By Regina Nunnally , Felony Defense Attorney

When I stand before the bench with one of our youth at my side , I look and see somebody ’ s child . This person has a mother and a father , was raised with extended family members and a church community . This child belongs to somebody and is a part of many . Yet it is easier for us to give the label ‘ Bad Child ’ and somehow move on as if we are not responsible or obligated . The churches ( regardless of denomination ) must band together to offer a replacement and be consistent . This would require “ whole villages to raise our children ” approach . This would require the powers that be to become more actively involved by getting to know our youth by listening to our youth . This would require a “ renewed mindset ”.

Young people live in the now . They do not see or plan for the future . This will require a massive effort and requires long term oversight . The main players : school , churches , businesses and the government must manage this feat . The goal is to rewrite the programmed mind . The mind must believe there is a better way . It takes courage to move from what you know to the unknown . Fear does indeed breed torment . Can we teach an old dog new tricks ? Yes , a renewed mind creates a new creation . The old can pass away .

Racial Disparities in Incarceration * African Americans now constitute nearly 1 million of the total 2.3 million incarcerated population * African Americans are incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites * Together , African American and Hispanics comprised 58 % of all prisoners in 2008 , even though African Americans and Hispanics

make up approximately one quarter of the US population * One in six black men had been incarcerated as of 2001 . * 1 in 100 African American women are in prison * Nationwide , African-Americans represent 26 % of juvenile arrests , 44 % of youth who are detained , 46 % of the youth who are judicially waived to criminal court , and 58 % of the youth admitted to state prisons ( Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice ). Source : NAACP . org